BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Bowdoin College men's lacrosse team used a stifling defensive effort to silence Williams, 14-4, in the NESCAC Quarterfinals Saturday at Whittier Field. The third-seeded Polar Bears (11-4) held the sixth-seeded Ephs (9-7) to a season low in goals en route to returning to the NESCAC semifinals after a one year absence.
After top-seeded Tufts was knocked off by Hamilton, the Polar Bears will face fourth-seeded Middlebury at Wesleyan next Saturday in the semis. Wesleyan will host Hamilton in the other semifinal contest.
Game Highlights
- After the teams traded goals to start the contest, Bowdoin held Williams to one goal from the 9:35 mark of the first quarter until the 8:24 mark of the fourth, limiting the Ephs to one score over a span of 31:11.
- Meanwhile, the Polar Bears offense hit its stride, rolling off a 3-0 run, including two goals by Matt Ward, to take the lead for good heading into the second quarter.
- A seven-goal run spanning the second quarter into the fourth gave the Polar Bears a commanding 12-2 advantage.
- Oliver Bernstein and Jason Lach each scored two goals in the run for the Polar Bears that put the contest out of reach.
By The Numbers
- Bowdoin's defense was outstanding, holding the Ephs to just 30 shots, and forcing 21 turnovers.
- Goaltender Robert Hobbs was forced to make only nine saves on the day, allowing just four goals, while Nate Ryan forced two turnovers, and nine different Polar Bears had at least two ground balls.
- Ethan Barnard (11-17) and Beau Burns (5-5) dominated the faceoff dot for Bowdoin in the win.
- Seven different Polar Bears scored, including hat tricks for Casey Ryan and Matt Ward.
- Will Byrne had a goal and four assists to spearhead the Bowdoin attack.
Up Next
- Bowdoin will face Middlebury for the second time this season next Saturday at Wesleyan in the semifinals (game time TBD). The teams played their regular season game in Brunswick back on March 9 with the Polar Bears taking a 16-10 win.
