Volume CXXXIII, Number 2 September 19, 2003 f

Corner kicks, headers, and overtime are dangerous weapons
SEAN WALKER
STAFF WRITER

If you attend a Bowdoin Men's Soccer game this year, expect to see a close, physical game. Expect the game to go into overtime. Expect to see a key goal from Tommy Bresnehan '05 and spectacular saves from Travis Derr '04. Most importantly, expect the Polar Bears to find a way to win.

Sophomore Andrew Russo chases after the ball as a defender from Wesleyan tries to steal it from him. Russo was the leading point scorer for the Bowdoin team in the 2002-2003 season. (Hans Law, Bowdoin Orient)

Of the three games Bowdoin has played thus far, all have ended in a 2-1 victory, with two of the contests going into overtime. Last Saturday, in their NESCAC opener, the Polar Bears defeated Wesleyan from behind with goals by Bresnehan and Bobby Desilets '05. Minutes before the end of the half, Bresnehan settled a Desilets pass and rifled a left-footed laser just under the post.

For the next 40 minutes, Derr wrote the story. While Wesleyan managed to tie the game at 1-1 five minutes into the second half, Derr's strong play enabled Bowdoin to stay in the game. If not for a save at point-blank range just minutes later, the Polar Bears would have trailed for the first time this season.

While the athleticism required to make the sprawling save was what stood out to fans, Derr credited his strong play this season to confidence and teammates' trust in him. He has emerged as a vocal leader with key members of the defense, Danny Sullivan '05 and Mike Crowley '05, out with injuries.

"The biggest change this year is that I am forced to be more vocal without Sullivan there," said Derr. "Having that voice or leadership role makes you more confident, and knowing that your teammates are confident in you is what makes those saves."

Confidence has been important in the close contests that have characterized the season thus far. This isn't to say that Derr is completely content with making key saves in close games. "We need to win games 2-0 or 3-0 and not put ourselves in situations where one missed tackle or one bad call costs us a win," said Derr.

The close games can be partially attributed to opposing teams being able to shut down Bowdoin's two top scorers from a year ago. Last year's leading scorer, Andrew Russo '06, has been held scoreless thus far this season despite leading the team with 14 shots on goal. However, Russo's two assists ties him with the team leader Desilets, who scored his first goal of the year after coming off the bench, the game-winner against Wesleyan.

When two players who combined for nineteen goals last season have been held virtually scoreless, opposing teams must be scared wondering if they will be the opponent when the duo's scoring prowess explodes back on the scene. This can only bode well for the Polar Bears.

Meanwhile, Tucker Hodgkins '05 and Bresnehan have picked up the slack, combining for five goals and each tallying a game-winner in overtime, with Bresnehan scoring four minutes into the extra period Tuesday night at previously unbeaten Plymouth State. While in previous seasons Bresnehan has been more of a physical midfield presence and asset on corner kicks, this season he has attacked the goals with the same zeal he uses when turning Moulton Union into his personal battlefield on chicken parm night.

In addition to the emergence of Bresnehan as a goal scorer and the return of Hodgkins, the team has benefited from strong play from Bucky Jencks '05 and John Hollis '07 in the backfield. Also, Ethan Roth '04 has been vital to the team with his quickness and ball control in the midfield. Still, the story thus far has been the team's ability to pull out close games. The biggest test thus far will come this Saturday at noon when Williams College visits to play a game featuring two of the top teams in the nation.

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