BRUNSWICK, Maine - Charlie Ward headed home the game-winning goal with 16:09 remaining to lift the Bowdoin College men's soccer team to a 1-0 upset of second-ranked Amherst on Saturday afternoon. The Polar Bears move to 2-0-0 on the season with the win after defeating the Mammoths in the regular season (not including postseason) for the first time since 2008.

Game Highlights

• An incredibly evenly-matched contest saw neither team threaten to score in the opening 45 minutes as Amherst held a 5-4 advantage in shots in the opening frame. 
• The teams ramped up the chances in the second half, as Bowdoin notched six corner kicks, including four in a ten-minute span, but couldn't dent the back of the net. 
• Finally, on their sixth corner of the half, Drake Byrd lofted a beautiful cross to the far side of the penalty area where Dylan Reid headed it back towards the center of the box. Ward rose above a crowd to meet the ball, heading it into the back of the net to give the Polar Bears a 1-0 lead with just over 16 minutes to play. 
• Amherst upped their offensive pressure in the final minutes, and had a pair of great chances from Joe Raymond with under seven minutes to play. Raymond hit the crossbar on his first attempt and then, after breaking behind the Bowdoin defense with 1:30 to go, was stuffed by Bowdoin goaltender Michael Webber, who saved his best stop of the day for his last.

By The Numbers

• Thanks to their late flurry of shots, Amherst ended with a 13-11 advantage in shots, but could not beat Webber, who ended with eight saves in the shutout.
• Bernie White made four saves for the Mammoths. 
• Despite being outshot overall, Bowdoin owned an 8-4 edge in corner kicks for the match. 

Up Next

• Bowdoin returns to action on Tuesday afternoon when they host Husson at 4:00 p.m.