BRUNSWICK, Maine - The U.S. Under-18 National Team edged Bowdoin College in an exhibition game at Watson Arena on Sunday afternoon, 2-1 to conclude the 2011 Bowdoin/Colby Faceoff Classic.

After Bowdoin killed consecutive penalties early in the first period, the U-18 team scored off a Brendan Silk shot that deflected off a Bowdoin player and past goaltender Steve Messina at 13:57. The Polar Bears answered on the power play at 15:55, as first-year John McGinnis slid a pass through the crease to classmate Danny Palumbo on the doorstep to even the score at one apiece.

After Messina stopped the first six shots he saw to open the second frame, the Under-18 Team regained its one-goal edge when Nicholas Kerdiles fed Patrick Sieloff in front. Sieloff slid the puck through the pads of Messina at 9:20 to make it 2-1. Bowdoin out-shot Team USA 12-8 in the final frame, but could not find the game-tying goal as Jared Rutledge stopped all dozen shots he saw in the last period.

Steve Messina was outstanding in net for Bowdoin, collecting 33 saves in goal, including several sprawling stops. Rutledge finished with 24 saves for the U-18 team. The Polar Bears converted on 1/4 power play opportunities in the contest while holding the national team to an 0/6 effort.

Bowdoin will return to action with a pair of games next weekend against rival Colby. The Polar Bears will play at Colby on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. before returning home to Watson Arena to face the Mules at 7:00 p.m. Saturday.