Polar Bears Overwhelm New Hampshire in Rout

BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College women's rugby team overwhelmed the University of New Hampshire on Saturday, celebrating Homecoming Weekend with a 60-0 win over the Wildcats. However, due to NERFU tiebreaker rules, the Polar Bears missed out on the Division II playoffs and will play in the tier two tournament beginning next weekend.

Bowdoin dominated possession and territory in the first half, racking up 45 points behind the strong leadership and play of co-captains Erica Camarena and Hannah Larson. The eight forwards and seven backs played a cohesive running, passing and kicking game. Scoring in the first half were Becky Stevens (2), Uche Esonu, Sara Faurer, Katie Mathews, Dani McAvoy and Elsbeth PJ Paige-Jeffers. Multiple players assisted on these scores, and the Polar Bears were clicking on all cylinders. Stevens converted five of seven kicks for ten additional points. While the scoring subsided in the second half with Bowdoin making multiple substitutions, they continued to play very well, scoring 3 more tries. Three unconverted tries were scored in the second half; one each by Colleen Maher, Faurer and Stevens.

In the "B-side" game, Bowdoin defeated the Wildcats 10 - 0 with two scores from Kerry Townsend '13. Bowdoin defended well with good tackles and rucks, while Nicole Erkis and Leah Stecher led the backline. Helen White '13 added some good long runs and defensive tackles from her fullback position.

The Polar Bears will host Amherst in the Tier Two Playoff Opening Round next Saturday, October 24 at 1:00 p.m. The winner will advance to a following round on Saturday, October 31.

Photos courtesy of Brian Beard and Creative Images Photography.