Box Score BRUNSWICK, Maine – Bowdoin scored four minutes into extra time to secure a 2-1 comeback victory on its senior day.
After 80 minutes of scoreless play, midfielder Aspen Pierson '21 notched a breakthrough for the Ephs in the 82nd minute, but the Polar Bears equalized on a penalty kick by Aine Lawlor in the penultimate minute of regulation. Shortly after the start of extra time, defender Sophia Lemmer produced the gamewinner to give Bowdoin (7–6–1/3–5–1 in the NESCAC) the win over No. 25 Williams (8–4–1/6–3–0 in the NESCAC).
The first half was a defensive battle, with the two teams combining for just six shots in the first 45 minutes.
In the 22nd minute, midfielder Emma Lynch '23 played a through ball ahead for Claire Tolliver '23, but Bowdoin defender Katherine Page poked the ball away from Tolliver. On the other end, Bowdoin midfielder Lynn Farquhar played a cross to Rachael Peacock in the 37th minute, although Georgia Lord '21 intervened to prevent a shot.
Perhaps the best chance of the half came in the 40th minute, when tri-captain Sarah Scire '20 forced a save from Bowdoin goalkeeper Penny Rocchio. Scire took a pass from Alison Lu '20, dribbled past a defender and hit a low shot that Rocchio parried away.
Williams dominated play for most of the second half, outshooting Bowdoin 12-4 in the period. The Ephs, however, struggled to get past Rocchio, who made 5 of her 6 saves in the second half.
Williams appealed for a penalty in the 72nd minute, when Jaquelin Nordhoff '23 went down in the box after receiving a through ball from Victoria Laino '21, but the referee waved to play on. Shortly thereafter, Lord played a ball into the box for Lu, who tried to score from a spectacular back heel. Rocchio, however, held on for the save.
The Ephs finally got their goal in the 82nd minute. Pierson ran onto the end of a lobbed pass from Lord, and after Rocchio saved Pierson's first attempt, Scire had a follow-up attempt blocked by a Bowdoin defender. Pierson scored off the rebound, though, to put Williams ahead 1-0.
But Bowdoin, energized by its home crowd, clawed back. The hosts scored twice within the span of six minutes on the match clock for the win.
The Polar Bears started sending numbers forward, and with less than two minutes remaining, they got a chance to equalize from a penalty kick after Eph goalkeeper Chelsea Taylor '22 fouled Farquhar in the box. Lawlor, with a powerful strike, converted to level the match.
A corner kick early in extra time gave Bowdoin the chance it needed to score the decider. Peacock sent the ball in, and it was controlled by Polar Bear midfielder Kate Rusk-Kosa near the edge of the box. Lemmer, sprinting in from her defensive position, then took a touch and snuck a shot inside the near post between Taylor and an Eph defender.
Shots finished 17-9 in Williams' favor. Taylor finished with 5 saves, and Rocchio had 6.
Williams plays its final regular season match Tuesday at 3 p.m. against No. 12 Middlebury in Middlebury, Vt.
