The top-ranked Polar Bears extended their winning streak over the Bobcats that dates back to 1984 and improved to 3-0 (3-0 NESCAC). Bates fell in its third consecutive conference game, dropping to 0-3 (0-3 NESCAC).
Kennedy put the Polar Bears on the board with a goal 5:17 into the contest. Following a broken corner play, Kennedy collected a loose ball near the left post and reverse chipped a shot to the opposite corner to give Bowdoin the lead.
The junior forward followed up with her second goal of the game with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half. A Polar Bear insert from the right sideline connected with the stick of Adrienne O’Donnell who waited on the end line. O’Donnell moved the ball into the circle and dished a pass to Kennedy. Spinning clockwise to avoid her defender, Kennedy flipped a no-look reverse shot to the top corner.
The Bobcats had several promising breakaway opportunities in both halves, with Bates forwards besting the Bowdoin defense in foot races. The Polar Bears were able to recover just in time to prevent any threatening one-on-one looks. Kim Kahnweiler broke up a Bates bid in the first half by recovering on the inside line and poking the ball away before the Bobcats offered a shot.
Cristina Vega stopped 11 shots in net for Bates, while Hannah Gartner made one save for the Polar Bears. Bowdoin outshot the Bobcats by a 31-1 margin and held a 15-0 edge in penalty corners.
The Polar Bears travel to Middlebury for a rematch of last year’s NESCAC championship, beginning at noon on Saturday.
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