MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Bowdoin College men's soccer team took advantage of an early own-goal by Wesleyan to take a 1-0 win at the 12^th-ranked Cardinals on Saturday afternoon. The Polar Bears improve to 8-2-2 (4-2-2 NESCAC) while Wesleyan falls to 8-3-2 (5-1-2 NESCAC).
 
Match Highlights

• The game's lone goal came off a strong push by the Polar Bears, who worked the ball to the right wing from Keito Ishibashi to Tyler Huck, who centered a low, hard pass towards the goal mouth. A Wesleyan defender slid to clear the ball but instead deflected into into the net just ten minutes into the contest, giving Bowdoin a 1-0 lead.
• The goal reflected the way the Polar Bears controlled the opening half, as Bowdoin owned a 7-1 edge in shots in the first 45 minutes, forcing four saves by Wesleyan.
• The play was more even in the second half, with each team posting four shots, but Bowdoin's Alex Ainsworth was forced to make only one stop to seal the victory – a diving stop on a bicycle kick with six minutes left in regulation.

By The Numbers

• Bowdoin owned a 11-5 edge in shots (6-1 on goal) and led 4-0 in corner kicks.
• Ainsworth made one save in the victory for Bowdoin.
• The win makes the Polar Bears 3-0-1 in their last four meetings with the Cardinals dating back to 2022.

Up Next

• Bowdoin is back in action Sunday at Endicott at 1:00 p.m.