BRUNSWICK, Maine - Bowdoin senior captain Eric Goitia scored the game-winning goal with 2:39 remaining in the second overtime to lift the Polar Bear men's soccer team to a much-needed 2-1 victory over Bates on Tuesday afternoon at Pickard Field.

Bowdoin earns its first NESCAC victory of the season and improves to 2-2-0 (1-2-0 NESCAC). Bates remains winless and falls to 0-4-1 (0-3-0 NESCAC). The Polar Bears are unbeaten in their last 16 matches against Bates (13-0-3) dating back to 1999.

Connor Keefe gave the Polar Bears an early lead in Tuesday's contest as Andrew Jones rifled a ball through traffic to Keefe, who tapped it into the bottom right corner in the 13th minute. The Polar Bears would carry the lead through halftime until a transition goal deadlocked the score for the Bobcats early in the second period. Sean Moyo lofted a perfectly-played pass from midfield over the Bowdoin defense to a streaking Peabo Knoth, who chipped the ball over oncoming Polar Bear netminder Noah Safian at 52:37, tying the match at 1-1.

Both teams would have quality chances in the closing moments of regulation, but neither could find the game-winner. In the first overtime, Ben Citrin had the best chance for Bowdoin, but booted the ball high of the net. Luke McNabb did the same for Bates with just a minute remaining in the first extra session as his bid for a potential game-winner sailed high of the goal.

With under three minutes remaining in the second OT, Bowdoin earned a corner kick and Hunter Miller played a short pass to Daniel Melong. Melong played a curling ball into the box that found the head of Keefe, who headed it to Ben Citrin. Citrin tapped it to an oncoming Goitia, who banged home the game-winner at 107:21.

Bowdoin held a 22-13 advantage in shots and 6-2 edge in corners. Safian stopped four shots for the Polar Bears while Sam Polito made four stops for the Bobcats.

Bowdoin will return to action at Middlebury on Saturday (12:00 p.m.). Bates will host Wesleyan on Saturday (2:00 p.m.)