The Polar Bears have shaken off a poor start to the season with wins in six of their last seven games and now find themselves among the final four teams in this season's NESCAC tournament.
Under the shining spring sun at Pickard Field, the Polar Bears welcomed their archrivals from Waterville, the Colby College Mules. After a thrilling 11-10 victory in its previous meeting with Colby, Bowdoin knew its opponents would come prepared and motivated.
"They're a strong team and we knew we would have to be at our best to come out with a win," sophomore goalie Chris Williamson said. "We were a little sloppy, especially towards the end of the game, but we did just enough to come away with the win."
Bowdoin got on the board first with a goal from sophomore attackman Nate Fritts, but Colby countered with a goal of its own four minutes later. The teams exchanged goals to finish the first half level, with five goals apiece.
"We knew heading into the game that it wouldn't be easy," defenseman Matthew Egan '12 said. "I felt like we played pretty well early in the game but we couldn't seem to ever gain momentum."
The second half continued in much the same way, largely due to Colby's All-American face-off specialist, Craig Bunker, who won 16 of 27 face-offs to give his team a decided edge in possession.
"He's one of the best in the country at face-offs so we knew going in how difficult it would be," said sophomore middy Brendan Hughes, who won eight of the 12 face-offs he contested. "Towards the later stages of the game we were starting to do a little better in that category and I think that's a big part of how we kept the game close."
In a game that was never separated by more than a single goal for the entire second half, Colby looked to have sealed its ticket to the NESCAC semi-finals when Whit McCartney found the back of the net for the third time in the game with just 20 seconds remaining in regulation.
Down by two, Bowdoin's Kit Smith '11 wasted no time in running through the Colby defense before unleashing a powerful shot to beat the Colby goalie up high.
When Bowdoin won the ensuing face-off and moved the ball into the offensive zone, Coach Thomas McCabe quickly called for a timeout to make sure his team could put together one last good opportunity.
Russell Halliday '11 drove through the left side of the Colby defense to free himself for the point blank shot at goal. Colby's goalie had no chance as Halliday emphatically buried his shot in the back of the net.
"In less than 15 seconds, we went from being on the verge of elimination to pure jubilation," Williamson said. "That momentum definitely carried over into the overtime period."
After a stellar save from Williamson regained possession for the Polar Bears, a side-arm shot from Ben Chadwick '11 flew past the Colby goalie to complete the heart-stopping comeback.
"It was a crazy game and we're just happy we came out on top," Williamson said with a hint of a smile. "Hopefully we won't need to [score two goals in less than 20 seconds] again."
- IN SPORTS THIS WEEK...
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- Pace pitches baseball team into NESCAC playoff berth
- Women’s tennis to face Middlebury in playoffs
- Five athletes to compete at Open New England
- Women’s track places sixth in final meet of the season
- Women’s lacrosse falls in round one of playoffs
- Men’s tennis beats Bobcats, preps for NESCAC tourney
- Sailing teams struggle in final spring regatta
- ABSA helps support queer athletes
- Three-sport athletes Hackett, Herter balance school, sports and college life
- Athlete of the Season: Elsa Millett
- Athlete of the Season: Kyle Hebert
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