BRUNSWICK, Maine – The ninth-ranked Bowdoin College field hockey team battled through torrential rain and a nationally-ranked opponent to earn a hard-fought 1-0 victory over No. 12 Babson on Tuesday afternoon at Ryan Field.
Katie Athanasoulas scored the game's lone goal in the third quarter as the Polar Bears improved to 9-2 on the season with their fifth consecutive victory. The win snapped a three-game losing streak against the Beavers (8-5), including a 2-1 setback in the second round of last fall's NCAA Tournament.
Game Highlights
- Playing in challenging conditions throughout the afternoon, the teams battled through a scoreless first half, with each side accounting for three shots over the opening 30 minutes.
- The Polar Bears took control in the third quarter, outshooting Babson 5-2 and earning a pair of penalty corners as they pressed for the game's first goal.
- Bowdoin finally broke through at the 37:04 mark following a scramble in front of the Babson cage. Hannah Balmelli's initial shot was saved, but Athanasoulas pounced on the rebound and roofed it into the top of the cage to give the Polar Bears a 1-0 lead.
- The Polar Bear defense made the lead stand, holding the Beavers without a shot or penalty corner in the final quarter to secure the victory.
By The Numbers
- Bowdoin finished with a 9-5 advantage in shots and a 5-3 edge in penalty corners.
- Eva Filipponi made one save in goal as the Polar Bears extended their shutout streak to five games. Filipponi has not allowed a goal in her last 266 minutes of action.
- Athanasoulas' game-winner was her second goal of the season.
- Madison Tibbals made three saves for Babson, while Lauren Golden added a defensive save.
- The win marked Bowdoin's first over Babson since 2010, avenging three consecutive losses to the Beavers. The teams did not play from 2011-2023.
Up Next
- The Polar Bears return to NESCAC action on Saturday, October 17, when they host Hamilton at Ryan Field. Game time is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
