#4 Bowdoin Upends Wellesley Field Hockey, 2-1
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bowdoin (2-0) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
|
Wellesley (4-1) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
WELLESLEY, Mass. – The defending NCAA Division III National Champions proved to be too much for the Wellesley College field hockey team to handle, as visiting Bowdoin picked up a 2-1 win over the Blue on Wednesday afternoon. The loss was the first of the season for Wellesley, dropping them to 4-1. The Polar Bears, ranked #4 in the latest Kookaburra/NFHCA national poll, climb to 2-0.
Although Bowdoin notched a 23-2 advantage in shots and an 8-0 edge in penalty corners, it was the solid midfield line from the Polar Bears who made the difference. Wellesley had scoring opportunities, especially in the second half, but the Blue couldn't get the ball into their offensive circle to get off a clean attempt.
After a 40-minute lightning delay, the Polar Bears quickly went up 1-0 on a penalty corner in the 10th minute. An insertion from Elizabeth Clegg was settled by Kassey Matoin, as Ella Curren launched a rocket shot from the top of the circle for her first goal of the season.
Wellesley tied the game at 1-1 early in the second half, as Allison Robbins snuck a nice pass through the circle to Alex Azzi, who found the back of the net with 37:16 on the clock.
Bowdoin's Clegg then notched what proved to be the game-winner in the 47th minute. Olivia King intercepted a Wellesley pass and sent it into the circle where Clegg tapped it in for the 2-1 Polar Bear advantage.
Wellesley had possession for a good portion of the final 10 minutes of play, but could not tally the equalizer, handing Bowdoin the 2-1 victory.
Blue keeper Brit Mscisz was solid in the cage, recording 10 saves while allowing her first two goals of the season. Wellesley's Maddie Whitaker also provided a hand in net, recording two defesive saves. For Bowdoin, Kayla Lessard needed just one save to earn the victory.
The Blue return to action on Saturday, September 17, at noon, when they host Babson College in their NEWMAC opener. Bowdoin is off until Tuesday, September 20, at 6pm, when they host Southern Maine in a non-conference contest.