The Wesleyan field hockey team held off Bowdoin on Saturday in a valiant effort before the defending NCAA Division III champions scored with 13 seconds left to win the game, 1-0. The heartbreaking loss came after brilliant defense by the Cardinals, led by goalie Breen McDonald ’10 who had a career-high 18 saves. The offense simply wasn’t there Saturday, with the Polar Bears outshooting the Cards 36-0. Nonetheless, the Wesleyan women truly exceeded expectations against Bowdoin, who are undefeated in their last 24 games.
McDonald was inspiring, making save after save to keep Wesleyan in the game. Her teammates assisted with four saves: Alexa David ’10 had three and Caitlin Kent ’10 had one. The Cardinals also got help from the crossbar five minutes into the 2nd half, and it seemed like it was the Cards’ lucky day. With or without luck on its side, Wesleyan played with impressive gut and determination.
“Bowdoin is ranked very high in our league and how close that game was speaks worlds about what we can accomplish as a team this year,” said Liz Gauvey-Kern ’11.
The Polar Bears allowed only six goals last season, and have yet to surrender one this fall. They kept the Wesleyan women on their heels, but the Cards made it clear that they wouldn’t go down without a fight. Holding off Bowdoin for over 69 minutes, the women highlighted their defensive abilities, especially against Bowdoin’s 25 penalty corners. It was the last corner that really hurt the Cards, who, after failing to clear the ball, were punished by Bowdoin’s leading scorer Lindsay McNamara’s 11th goal of the season. The timing of the goal was the toughest part, but the team mostly saw the game as a building block in their overall season.
“We know that if we continue to play with the intensity and composure that we did against Bowdoin throughout the rest of the season, there isn’t a team in the NESCAC that we don’t expect to beat,” said Molly O’Connell ’09.
Head Coach of Field Hockey Patricia Klecha-Porter had high praise for her team, singling McDonald, Claire O’Brien ’12, and Hilary Nabhan ’11 for their defensive efforts. Players themselves also had no trouble acknowledging the accomplishments of their fellow teammates. These acts speak of the unity already apparent inside the locker room.
“More than any other team I’ve been on, this team plays as one,” Gauvey-Kern said. “Our coaches were talking in preseason about how it almost seems like we had been playing together for a couple months instead of a couple days.”
This unfortunate loss should not overshadow the team’s current skills and clear potential. Once their offensive capabilities kick in, combined with its obvious defensive talent, the Cards will definitely be a team to watch this fall.
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