BRUNSWICK — Bowdoin College senior captain Eric Goitia scored the gamewinning goal with 2: 39 remaining in the second overtime to lift the Polar Bear men’s soccer team to a much- needed 2- 1 victory over Bates on Tuesday afternoon at Pickard Field.

Bowdoin earned its first New England Small College Athletic Conference victory of the season and improved to 2- 2 ( 1- 2 NESCAC). Bates remained winless and fell to 0-4-1 (0-3 NESCAC). The Polar Bears are unbeaten in their last 16 matches against Bates (13-0-3) dating back to 1999.

Connor Keefe gave the Polar Bears an early lead as Andrew Jones rifled a ball through traffic to Keefe, who tapped it into the bottom right corner in the 13th minute. The Polar Bears carried the lead through halftime until a transition goal deadlocked the score for the Bobcats early in the second period. Sean Moyo lofted a perfectly played pass from midfield over the Bowdoin defense to a streaking Peabo Knoth, who chipped the ball over oncoming Polar Bear netminder Noah Safian at 52:37, tying the match at 1-1. Both teams had quality chances in the closing moments of regulation, but neither found the gamewinner. In the first overtime, Ben Citrin had the best chance for Bowdoin, but booted the ball high of the net. Luke McNabb did the same for Bates with just one minute remaining in the first extra session as his bid for a potential game-winner sailed high of the goal.

With under three minutes remaining in the second OT, Bowdoin earned a corner kick and Hunter Miller played a short pass to Daniel Melong, who sent a pass into the box that found the head of Keefe. His header eluded Bates goaltender Ben Citrin, with Goitia tapping the ball into the vacated cage for the win.

Bowdoin held a 22-13 shots advantage, with Safian making four saves for the Polar Bears, who returns to action on Saturday at Middlebury (noon).