Box Score BRUNSWICK, Maine – Eliza Nitzan scored her first collegiate goal in double overtime to lift the Bowdoin women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory against visiting Trinity on Saturday afternoon.
The 18th ranked Polar Bears remain perfect in conference action (5-0-0) and improve to 8-1-0 overall on the season. Trinity came to Brunswick still looking for its first NESCAC win (4-4-1, 0-4-1 NESCAC).
Bowdoin looked to move the scoreboard just three minutes into action as Amanda Kinneston challenged Trinity keeper Monica DiFiori for a low cross, with Kinneston winning the 50/50 battle but poking the ball just wide right. The Bantams and Polar Bears proceeded to trade blows throughout the half as Trinity managed nine shots to Bowdoin's seven. Bridget McCarthy made five stops for Bowdoin to keep the Bantams off the board, and DiFiori made a pair of saves on her side.
The second half of play consisted largely of midfield action. The Polar Bears outshot Trinity 6-2 in the frame, but each team only managed to direct two shots on net. With 8:30 remaining in regulation, Kiersten Turner headed a ball to Jamie Hofstetter who set herself up with a quick touch outside before launching a shot wide.
Knotted at 0-0, the Bantams and Polar Bears proceeded to play another ten minutes of scoreless soccer in the first overtime. Bowdoin held a decisive 4-1 edge in shots, but directed only a single ball on goal. McCarthy and DiFiori each made one save to extend the game, with McCarthy coming up with a big punch save in the 92 minute. With the game entering its 104th minute, Nitzan subbed in from the Bowdoin bench onto the forward line. Just three minutes later, she received a close range pass from Turner on the right side of the box and chipped a shot to the opposite corner for the game-winning goal.
McCarthy tallied eight total saves for the Polar Bears, while DiFiori stopped six shots for Trinity. Bowdoin outshot the visitors 19-12 and held an 8-3 edge in corner kicks.
Bowdoin hits the road for a pair of games next weekend at Hamilton (12:00 p.m. Saturday) and Williams (11:00 a.m. Sunday). Trinity hosts Middlebury next Saturday starting at 11:00 a.m.
