WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. Though Bowdoin's (11-0, 7-0 NESCAC)
hard-hitting offense was met by the Eph's (2-8, 1-6 NESCAC) tough
defensive line Saturday morning at Renzie-Lamb Field, the Polar
Bears consistent attack in the circle paid off in the second
frame. With just over ten minutes remaining in the game the
Bears permeated Williams' defensive line finding the back of the
net with a game-winning goal raising Bowdoin to a 7-0 record in
NESCAC and dropping the Ephs to a 1-6 record on the season.
With the beginning of the first frame, offensive control
consistently oscillated between Williams and Bowdoin as each team
regained possession before their opponents could fire any shots or
acquire any penalty corner opportunities. However, as the
clock waned in the first Bowdoin turned on their offensive
pressure, though 4 of 10 shot attempts were ousted by senior
tri-captain goalie Katrina Tulla (New
Canaan, Conn.) in the cage. Williams' defense effectively
cleared the ball from the circle using deliberate and concise
passing to counter Bowdoin's 10 penalty corners. Likewise,
the Polar Bears powerful defense held Williams to one shot and no
penalty corners for the half ending the period at a 0-0 draw.
From the outset of the second, the undefeated Bears responded to
the scoreless first frame with a sense of urgency further
increasing defensive intensity and offensive pressure. The
Bears tallied a 13-2 shot advantage for the half along with a 9-0
penalty corner lead thwarting the Ephs attempts to create offensive
opportunities in the circle off penalty corners.
With ten minutes left in the game, Bowdoin made most of the
Eph's penalty-provoked personnel shortage when Polar Bear forward
Cathleen Smith took a shot that rebounded off Tulla's pads.
The subsequent loose ball was picked up by junior Katie Herter who
found the back of the net at 59:23 lifting Bowdoin to a 1-0
lead. Despite an offensive scramble at the end of the second,
the Eph's efforts were not enough to break the Bear's defense
awarding the Bowdoin a 1-0 shutout victory at the buzzer.
Tulla tallied 11 saves and had 1 goal allowed for the 70 minute
regulation game. Bowdoin senior goalkeeper Emily Neilson also
spent 70 minutes in the cage and had 1 save for the competition
with no goals allowed.
Coach Alix Burrale commented on the game, "Bowdoin is a great
team and I thought we did a good job staying with them. Stats
didn't reflect our efforts today, but despite the loss we put
together a strong cohesive performance."
The Ephs play again tomorrow at Skidmore at 1PM.
