The Bowdoin women’s basketball powerhouse established a first Saturday night and it’s one the Polar Bears would just as soon forget as they were unceremoniously eliminated from the Division III playoffs.
That brings the curtain down on the winter sports season, although several winter athletes have received recognition for their performance.
With no rest for the weary, spring sports have begun.
Women’s basketball
The Bowdoin women’s basketball team got its tournament run underway in grand fashion last Friday with a 72-31 romp over Castleton State (Vt.) in the first round. Katie Bergeron had 16 points and six rebounds to lead the way. The fun ended 24 hours later, however, as the Polar Bears dropped a home tournament game for the first time, 58-57 to Muhlenberg. Bowdoin trailed by 10 with 5:26 to play, but rallied to cut the deficit to one and had a chance to win it, but Alex Kaubris’ attempt at a buzzer-beater was no good and the Polar Bears’ season ended at 24-5. Jill Henrikson had 16 points in defeat.
Senior tri-captain Maria Noucas was named to the All-NESCAC first-team. Henrikson was named the league’s Rookie of the Year. First-year coach Adrienne Shibles was recognized by her peers as Coach of the Year and was also chosen Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association Region I (New England) Coach of the Year.
Men’s basketball
The Bowdoin men’s basketball team placed senior Kyle Jackson on the All-NESCAC second team. Jackson averaged 10.6 points this winter and led the Polar Bears in 3-pointers made (44), steals (29) and tied for the team lead in blocks (27).
Men’s hockey
The Bowdoin men’s hockey squad placed sophomore Kyle Shearer-Hardy on the All-NESCAC second-team as a defenseman. Shearer-Hardy paced the Polar Bears this year with 11 goals.
Women’s hockey
The women’s hockey team saw freshman Dominique Lozzi named NESCAC Rookie of the Year. Lozzi led the Polar Bears with 14 goals and six assists and had the game-winner in six of Bowdoin’s 11 victories.
Track
Bowdoin’s Ali Chase and Anne Monjar qualified for the NCAA Division III indoor track and field championships in Terre Haute, Ind., this weekend. Monjar is the fifth seed in the 5,000 meters. Chase is the seventh seed in the 800. The Polar Bears came in eighth as a team at the ECAC championships last weekend. Chase won the 800, while the 4×800 relay team (Molly Duffy, Dana Riker, Jessica Sokolow and Grace Kerr) also came in first.
Baseball
Bowdoin’s baseball team began its 2009 campaign Sunday with a doubleheader loss to Curry College, falling 13-4 and 21-8.
Men’s lacrosse
The Bowdoin men’s lacrosse team began its 2009 season with a 4-3 home win over Wesleyan Saturday behind Owen Smith’s game-winner with 13 seconds to play. Jake McCampbell made 18 saves in his first career start and was named NESCAC Co-Player of the Week for his effort. The Polar Bears are now 16th in the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Coaches’ Association poll and improved to 12th in the LaxNews.com rankings. Bowdoin is at Trinity (Conn.) Saturday.
Women’s lacrosse
The Bowdoin women’s lacrosse team fell 9-8 at Wesleyan in its opener Saturday, losing on a goal scored with 59 seconds remaining. Elizabeth Clegg did have a hat trick for the Polar Bears. Katy Dissinger added two goals and an assist.
Tennis
Bowdoin’s tennis teams both won their spring openers, as the women blanked UC-Santa Cruz 9-0 and the men edged Texas-Tyler 5-4 in play in California.
Bowdoin’s Ellery Gould drives the lane during the Polar Bears’ first round game against Castleton State last Friday night. (Brandon McKenney photo)
Junior Katie Bergeron was fouled from behind when she went up
for a shot against Castleton State. The Polar Bears rolled to an easy win, but were upset the following night by Muhlenberg. (Brandon McKenney photo)