Another week in the books and Wesleyan men’s soccer has yet to return to their winning ways within NESCAC play. Saturday saw the Cardinals journey up to Bowdoin with high hopes following an inspired victory over Coast Guard on Tuesday, only to be blanked 1-0 by the Polar Bears. The loss brings the team’s overall record to 4-5 and their conference record to 1-4.

The lone goal of the afternoon came in the fifth minute of play, as Bowdoin midfielder Nick Powell ’12 received a pass in the middle of the box from teammate Tim Prior ’11, which he blasted past Wesleyan goalie Adam Purdy ’13. That would be all the Polar Bears needed, as Wesleyan proved no match for their talented defense. The Cardinals managed just seven shots on the day, three of which were stopped by goalie Dan Hicks ’11.

Bowdoin succeeded in maintaining the pressure throughout the contest, taking a total of 18 shots. Fortunately for Wesleyan, the backfield absorbed the pressure, thanks in no small part to the help of a seven-save performance by keeper Purdy to tie his career high, indeed a bright spot on an otherwise disheartening afternoon.

In spite of the disappointing loss to a conference competitor, despair not Cardinal soccer fans—while the Redbirds’ NESCAC standing situation looks bleak, keep in mind that the final four games of the regular season are against NESCAC competitors and that this is a talented team capable of great things, having yet to lose by more than one goal this year. In the meantime, come out to Jackson Field this Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. as the men in red attempt to get the ball rolling versus Western Connecticut.