BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College women's rugby team took a pair of victories in a doubleheader to open their 2009 campaign on Saturday. The Polar Bears blanked Colby 27-0 before posting a 12-5 win over the University of Maine-Farmington. Bowdoin will open league play next Saturday at 1:00 at Radcliffe College.

Against Colby, Bowdoin used pressure and support to score two early tries. The first, a strong drive into the tryzone by Nylea Bivins '12 (converted by Stevens) and the second, a quick run down the sideline by Dorothy Pei '11. Later in the first half, Bowdoin strung together several phases of good play using footwork, good handling skills and support. Leah Stecher'10 started it off setting a strong ruck on the far right. With support from the forward pack, scrum half Becky Stevens served up the ball to a realigned backline with plenty of support from forwards Loryn Fridie '11, Liz Fox '12, Uche Esonu '13 and Captain Erica Camarena '10. Danielle Carniaux '10 took the final pass and posted the ball beneath the posts for the third try of the half. The conversion kick by Stevens was good.

The second half was more evenly contested, with Colby seeing a bit more action, but Bowdoin's strong scrummaging and lineout play kept them at bay. A penalty by Colby just outside their 22m line gave Bowdoin a shot at 3 points, which kicker Becky Stevens notched cleanly. The Polar Bears focused on improving their passing and cleaning up the loose play. Allie Dupont '12 played a solid game at a new position, and several strong runs from center Elsbeth 'PJ' Paige-Jeffers '10, opened up some space midfield. After one such run, the team took advantage of good rucking and moved the ball quickly downfield, with Becky Stevens scoring the final try of the game.

In the second game of the day, playing with a mixed side, many of Bowdoin's younger players got the experience they need as they continue to learn the game. Playing against a much stronger U.Maine Farmington team than in 2008, Bowdoin found themselves behind 5-0 after 10 minutes but quickly rallied with some pressure and good rugby of their own. After a series of rucks and clearing passes, Nylea Bivins took a nice offload pass and dove hard for the try zone, tying the score. Captain Hannah Larson '10 had several strong runs down the left side, using footwork and speed, and late in the game finally found daylight, scoring and converting her own try. Final score 12 - 5. Nicole Erkis '12 turned in a fine performance at scrum half. Making her rugby debut, Kerry Townsend'13 made several good tackles, including a try-saving one in the first half.