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Volume CXXXIII, Number 3 |
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Sticks, turf & skirts: field hockey dominates
HEATHER MACNEIL
STAFF WRITER
Bowdoin's field hockey team has kicked off its season in style, posting solid victories over its first four opponents for an impressive undefeated record. The defending NESCAC champions are 2003-09-26ly ranked 10th in the national poll among all Division III schools.
In the team's first game of the season they faced out-of-conference Wellesley College. The Owls only challenged the Polar Bears for the first few minutes of the game as Wellesley netted their one goal early, but the Bears were not affected. Bowdoin's Colleen McDonald '05 terminated Wellesley's lead with two quick goals at the end of the second half, then Christi Gannon '06 and Allison Craib '06 solidified the lead for the final 4-1 victory.
In its first NESCAC contest and home opener, Bowdoin took on the Wesleyan Cardinals. The Polar Bears littered Wesleyan's goal with shots in the first half, but to no avail. It wasn't until 33 minutes into the game that Taryn King '07 netted her first goal of the season for Bowdoin's 1-0 lead. McDonald took care of the rest, scoring off an assist from Amanda Burrage '04 to finalize Bowdoin's victory.
The Polar Bears ended Wheaton College's three game winning streak with a 3-0 victory. Goals from Gannon, Marissa O'Neil '05 in the first half and Kate Halloran '07 in the second put the Bears in the lead, and impressive goaltending by Gillian McDonald '04 allowed Bowdoin to stay ahead. Goaltender McDonald ended the game with seven saves, making the contest her second shutout of the season.
Bowdoin's most impressive victory came against 12th-ranked Williams College. The Bears smoked their rivals with a 5-2 victory. Gannon stepped up and netted the first goal of the game off an assist by O'Neil. Then O'Neil slammed another pass into the back of the net. Williams answered with a goal, but it didn't stop Bowdoin for long. Colleen McDonald and Burrage each scored, sending Williams packing.
Bowdoin faces tough opponents Amherst and sixth-ranked Middlebury on
the road next weekend, but captain Amanda Burrage '04 is has confidence
in her team. "We know we have a big challenge ahead, but we're ready
to "dig into" anything that comes our way," said Burrage.
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