Bowdoin Exacts Revenge on Women's Hockey in NCAAs

Author: Kate Nerenberg

Exactly one week later, in a rematch of the NESCAC championship game, the Middlebury women's hockey team again took on Bowdoin. This time, however, the Panthers did not come away victorious as the Polar Bears avenged a 4-0 loss in last week's game with a 3-0 shutout on their home ice. Bowdoin, which improves its overall season record to an impressive 22-1-3, will face Manhattanville in the NCAA semifinals next weekend, a repeat of last season's match-up. Middlebury ends its season with a strong 19-3-4 record and another NESCAC crown in its back pocket.
"I think we expected too much. We didn't actually work for what we should've worked for. We beat them last week so I think we all kind of expected to win," said Amber Neil '03.
However, Middlebury set the pace for the first 10 minutes of the initial period, taking five of the first six shots, but was unable to convert on any of its chances. Not even two minutes into the game, Erin Neil '03 went wide with a wrister on an open net, which proved to be the Panthers' best chance all game. The tides turned as the game progressed and the rest of the first period belonged to the Polar Bears. Over the next six minutes, they took five shots, and finally converted at the 15:16 mark as Britney Carr sent the puck between Madouras' pads and put Bowdoin on the scoreboard.
The remainder of the first period and the entire second period showcased two very evenly matched teams. Neither team kept the puck for extended periods of time, as the momentum shifted constantly. Middlebury pulled off nine shots for the period, while Bowdoin managed to get off six. Bowdoin missed an opportunity to go up one more as Madouras swept away a breakaway attempt by a forward who slipped past the Middlebury defense.
"People were tired when they came over to the bench. We had been working hard but we were not very effective as a team. Bowdoin had the motive to get back at us," Neil noted.
The even battle continued through the first half of the last period, until the 9:58 mark when the Polar Bears took a hard shot from the left side that was saved by Madouras. The rebound, however, was quickly put back into the top corner of the net, putting Bowdoin up 2-0. In an attempt to salvage their season, the Panthers pulled Madouras our of the net in order to create a player-up situation on the ice after calling a timeout at 15:11. However, the plan only backfired as Kirsti Anderson collected a loose puck in the neutral zone and skated the puck into an empty net at the 18:49 mark, sealing the victory for the Polar Bears.
Despite an early exit from the NCAA tournament, Neil believes that the Panthers had "a great season. The team was more than wonderful in every way. We went as far as we deserved to go." Although Panther fans are not pleased to see the team lose in the first round of the tournament, for the second year in a row, after building a strong tradition and taking home many championship plaques, it is a testament to the rise of women's hockey that other teams present Middlebury with a challenge.
Next season, the Panthers will have a chance to repeat as NESCAC champions and a chance to go after another NCAA championship, with this season under their belt. Despite the disappointment, games such as this one against Bowdoin will only provide the veterans and newcomers alike with the experience it takes to win big games.