Bowdoin Edges Connecticut College in Field Hockey First Round

Courtesy Bowdoin Sports Information

BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College field hockey team took a 1-0 decision over Connecticut College in the first round of the NESCAC Tournament this afternoon. The Polar Bears advance to play in the semifinals of the tourney, which take place next weekend in Middlebury, Vt.

The Polar Bears controlled the majority of play in the first half, and had numerous chances to break into the scoring column early in the match. Five minutes into the game, Bowdoin took a penalty corner and fired a shot on net which skipped past Camel netminder Anna Trafton but was stopped just short of the goalline by defender Ashley Coltin and swept aside.

At 26:30 of the first half, Bowdoin goalkeeper Gillian McDonald made a great kick save to stop the best chance by Connecticut College. Bowdoin cashed in for the game's only goal at 14:57, when Leah McClure fired a shot from inside the circle that hit the post. Marissa O'Neil gathered the rebound and fed McClure, who fired another shot that found the back of the net for a 1-0 Polar Bear lead. Connecticut College controlled the pace of play in the second, but failed to take advantage of chances late in the contest. With 20 minutes remaining, the Camels' Emily Huffman fired a shot that was kicked aside by McDonald again, preserving the shutout. McDonald made two saves in the shutout win, while Trafton collected nine saves for Connecticut College.