MONTCLAIR, N.J. - The Bowdoin College women's soccer team scored three times in the second half to stun Christopher Newport, 3-1, in a NCAA Division III Tournament First Round match Saturday night at Montclair State.

The win is just the second victory in NCAA Tournament play all-time for the Polar Bears, who improve to 12-3-1 and advance to play in Sunday's second-round match against Montclair State at 5:00 p.m. Christopher Newport ends its season at 14-4-2.

Bowdoin, who advanced in penalty kicks last season in the opening round of the tournament (counting in the record books as a tie), claimed their first win in NCAA play since beating Framingham State in 1999.

The teams traded blows in the early going as Abby Einwag had Bowdoin's best early chance on a shot from the left wing 15 minutes into the game. Haley Casanova made a diving stop to keep the game scoreless for the Captains. Bupe Okeowo almost gave Christopher Newport the lead in the 23rd minute, heading a beautiful cross that seemed destined for the back of the net. But Bowdoin's Bridget McCarthy batted it out of trouble to preserve the tie.

The Captains finally broke through in the 31st minute when Lindsay Mondloch ripped a shot from the top of the box that deflected off a leg high into the air. The redirected shot floated inside the right post, just beyond McCarthy's reach to give the Captains a 1-0 lead that they carried into halftime.

After sustained pressure by the Polar Bears dominated the opening ten minutes of the second half, Bowdoin was finally able to find the equalizer in the 62nd minute. Maggie Godley's centering pass came to leading scorer Kiersten Turner, who flicked it under the post at 61:04. Riding the momentum of the game-tying goal, the Polar Bears went ahead just 1:57 later as Jenna DiCicco found Maggie Godley on the right wing. Godley lofted a shot from the 18 that slipped beyond the hands of Casanova to give Bowdoin a 2-1 edge. The marker was Godley's first goal of the season.

The Polar Bears put the game out reach eight minutes later when an odd-man rush came to Molly Popolizio unmarked in the center of the field. One-on-one against the goalie, Popolizio coolly deposited Bowdoin's third goal with a low shot that sealed the win.

McCarthy made two saves in the win for Bowdoin. Casanova was credited with five. Bowdoin held a 12-8 advantage in shots and held a 6-2 edge in corner kicks.

Photo courtesy of Marcello Cutti Jr./SMI SPORTS