Brunswick, ME – A sunny day in Brunswick saw the Williams College Ephs (6-6, 4-4) facing the #12 Bowdoin College Polar Bears (9-2, 7-0). The undefeated Bowdoin squad jumped out to an early lead and never let the Ephs get control, despite a strong performance early from the Williams defense. The Ephs would ultimately fall by a score of 14-6.
The early start time in Maine was matched by an early Polar Bears' goal as the home team found the back of the net just a minute into the game. Two quick Bowdoin goals midway through the quarter set the Polar Bears up 3-0 before the Ephs could respond.
Calvin Caputo became a one-man show as he picked off a clearing attempt then drove to the cage to put the Ephs on the board. Shortly after,
Nick Bates kept the ball rolling as his goal made it 3-2. The Ephs finally had a hold of possession and momentum in the game, but could not capitalize any further. Defensively,
Matt Wetmore came up with some huge saves in the opening quarter to keep the Ephs within a goal. The pressure on the Bowdoin clears was also exceptional, leading to several Eph chances.
The beginning of the second quarter was up and down the field with both teams sporting solid transition defense to keep the other offense quiet. Bowdoin potted two goals in the middle of the frame to extend their lead to 5-2. It then became six for the Polar Bears with just over four minutes left in the half.
Calvin Caputo finally found Williams answer with two minutes remaining to cut the Bowdoin lead to three. The Polar Bears would not allow the Ephs back in the game, however, as they scored two goals in the final minute of the half to head to the locker room up 8-3.
Bowdoin took the immediate advantage in the third quarter, as they had in the two prior, as they scored just a minute in to make it 9-3. The Ephs settled in and defense became offense as Finlay Macknight set up
Nick Bates for the score. Shortly after, Macknight fed
Calvin Caputo and the Ephs' leading scorer made no mistake as he cut the deficit to four. Bowdoin was quick to shut down the rally, however, as the home team scored two before the end of the quarter to expand their lead to 11-5.
Just thirteen seconds into the final quarter, Bowdoin would score again to stifle any Williams pep-talk at the intermission. Minutes later the lead became eight as the Polar Bears kept their foot on the gas. The Ephs grabbed a goal back off the stick of
Calvin Caputo from Finlay Macknight who completed his hat trick of assists in the game. The positives ended there for the Ephs as Bowdoin would tack on a goal at the buzzer to defeat the Ephs 14-6.
After the game, Eph head coach
George McCormack said this regarding the game: "We had numerous chances to make today's game competitive and we were unable to cash in on those opportunities. Bowdoin on the other hand took advantage of their opportunities and separated themselves. As always we will learn and grow from this missed opportunity and look to show up against a tough MIT team on the road. I'd like to recognize two seniors who played at a high level the whole game,
Patrick Gaul and
Noah Dewbrey."
The Ephs will look to get back into the win column as they travel to M.I.T on Tuesday for a 7 PM contest.
