MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Abby Hammerl secured the first win of the season for Bowdoin women's soccer team with the game-winning goal in double-overtime to defeat Wesleyan 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

The Polar Bears open the season 1-0-0 (1-0-0 NESCAC) for the fourth consecutive year, as the Cardinals drop to 0-1-1 (0-1-0 NESCAC) on the young season. Bowdoin maintains its series lead over Wesleyan, improving to 29-6-3 all-time with its third straight victory over the Cardinals.

Wesleyan took the quick 1-0 lead at 4:56 off a goal by Marisa Yang. Madeline Keene dished a centering pass to Katy Hardt at the top, who passed back to the left side where Yang sat six yards out from the goal to chip in the game's first goal. Despite the Polar Bears outshooting Wesleyan 13-3 in the opening half, the Cardinals maintained their lead into the break.

Amanda Kinneston was finally able to break through Wesleyan keeper Jessica Tollman in the 66th minute of play. Taylor Haist executed a pin-point pass which allowed Kinneston to unload on the ball and rip a shot from 16 yards out. The Polar Bears continued to control the pace of play but were unable to capitalize on any scoring opportunities, as the game remained tied 1-1 through the 90th minute.

Bowdoin had several chances to end the game in the first overtime period, including a look by Kinneston in the final seconds. With time winding down, Kinneston drew the goalie out to left side and chipped the ball over her head at an open net. Tollman capitalized on her inside line to win the footrace and smother the loose ball, squelching Bowdoin's final scoring opportunity of the overtime period.

Wesleyan appeared to regain momentum in the opening minutes of the second overtime, coming very close to ending the game with a corner kick from the left side. Madeline Keane went up for a header on the opposite post and barely missed wide right. Bowdoin ended the game on a similar play at the opposite end. Set up for a corner kick on the left side, Maggie Godley lofted the ball into play, with Hammerl heading the ball to near left post for the double-overtime win.

Tollman collected a total of 13 saves in net for the Cardinals, as the Polar Bears outshot the home team 26-8.

Bowdoin returns to action with its home opener on Saturday, September 13. The Polar Bears will face off against Amherst College beginning at 12:00 p.m.