Bowdoin Edges Connecticut College in Women's Ice Hockey First Round
Courtesy Bowdoin Sports Information
BRUNSWICK, Maine - Jayme Woogerd scored two goals, including the game-winner with 8:02 remaining in the third period, to lift the second-seeded Bowdoin College women's ice hockey team into the NESCAC Semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Connecticut College on Saturday afternoon. The Polar Bears (16-8-1) will play third-seeded Williams College on Saturday afternoon, March 4 at top-seeded Middlebury College, while the host Panthers will play fourth-seeded Colby. Gametimes will be announced for those games early next week. The Camels end their season with a record of 6-13-4.
Senior netminder Gabby Petrill single-handedly kept her team in the contest in the opening period, stopping all 21 shots she faced as Bowdoin peppered the net without success. The Polar Bears managed to take the lead immediately in the second period, as a Woogerd shot from between the circles sailed over the shoulder of Petrill just 18 seconds in. Bowdoin looked to increase their lead late in the frame on the powerplay, but a loose puck in the defensive zone deflected off Connecticut College's Suzie Connor and into the Bowdoin net for a shorthanded goal, tying the game heading into the final period.
Bowdoin continued to pressure the Camel net, and finally broke through with 8:02 remaining as Katie Forney skated behind the net and played a pass in front of the net. Woogerd poked the puck home for her second goal of the day, giving the Polar Bears a 2-1 lead. Bowdoin maintained the lead into the closing minutes, but took a penalty with 2:39 remaining, giving Connecticut one final chance. The Camels mounted their best pressure of the afternoon in the final moments, forcing Bowdoin's Emileigh Mercer to make several sprawling saves to preserve Bowdoin's lead.
Mercer finished with eight saves on the afternoon, while Petrill stopped 34 for Connecticut. Bowdoin advances to the NESCAC Semifinals for the fifth straight season. The Polar Bears have never lost a NESCAC Semifinal contest and are the only team to play in the NESCAC Final in each season the Tournament has been competed, winning two titles (2002, '04).
