MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Bowdoin's Cathleen Smith redirected an Ella Curren blast with 5:50 remaining to lift the seventh-ranked Polar Bears to 1-0 win at 10th-ranked Middlebury on Saturday afternoon. The Polar Bears remained unbeaten with the victory, moving to 5-0 (3-0 NESCAC) this season while the Panthers fell to 2-2 (1-2 NESCAC).

Neither team had many early shots, with Middlebury's Elizabeth Garry making a defensive save in the opening half. Bowdoin had a couple of chances in the first period, but Middlebury keeper Madeline Brooks (7 saves) made a pair of nice saves on back-to-back corners, as Bowdoin's Curran just missed a third chance with a shot off the post.

The game's only goal came off a Polar Bear penalty corner. Elizabeth Clegg injected the ball to Michaela Calnan, who stopped it for Curren. Smith, waiting in front, deflected the shot past Garry for the game-winner.

Middlebury made a late push but was unable to tie the game. Charlotte Gardiner had her shot denied by Bowdoin's Emily Neilson (4 saves), while the Panthers earned two corners in the final minute, but were unsuccessful.

The Polar Bears will return to action next Saturday when they begin a four-game homestand against Connecticut College.