HANOVER, N.H. - The Bowdoin College men's squash team suffered a pair of losses to open its season at Dartmouth last weekend.

The Polar Bears (0-2), currently ranked 20th in the nation, lost a 9-0 decision to eighth-ranked Dartmouth but nearly knocked off 13th-ranked Middlebury in a 5-4 setback.

First-year Matt Cooper came the closest to taking a point against the Big Green, falling 3-2 (6-11,11-3,11-5,6-11,11-9). He finished the job against the Panthers by earning a 3-0 (11-8,11-9,11-9) victory at #4 for his first collegiate win.

Bowdoin won four of the top five positions against Middlebury thanks to William Fantini's 3-0 (6-11,11-8,9-11,11-7,11-9) win at #3, Cooper at #4 and Max Bearse's 3-0 (12-10,11-9,11-6) victory at #5. Andrew Hilboldt earned a point at #1 due to an injury withdrawal. The Polar Bears couldn't find the clinching point however, with Reid Wilson coming the nearest with a 3-2 (11-8,6-11,11-6,9-11,11-9) loss at #8.

The Polar Bears will get a rematch with the Panthers in their next match after the New Year, on January 5 at Williams.