Box Score Courtesy of Bowdoin Sports Information
BRUNSWICK, Maine – Despite a four-save effort from goalkeeper Holly Burwick '16, a penalty kick goal by Bowdoin's Jamie Hofstetter in the 63rd minute lifted the Bears to a 1-0 win over No. 20 Amherst in Saturday afternoon's NESCAC women's soccer game.
With the loss, Amherst moves to 2-1-0 on the season, 1-1-0 in league play, while Bowdoin improves to 2-0-0 overall, 2-0-0 in NESCAC play.
Both teams enjoyed solid chances over the opening 45 minutes of play. Amanda Kinneston had a strong look for Bowdoin, launching a shot just outside the right post from the top of the box. Each team offered up six shots in the opening half of play, with Bowdoin's Bridget McCarthy stopping four shots and Burwick making three saves for Amherst.
The game remained scoreless through the opening 15 minutes of the second half, until Bowdoin's Kiersten Turner was fouled in the box resulting in a penalty kick for the Polar Bears. Hofstetter lined up to take the kick for Bowdoin and coolly put home the game's only goal.
The Polar Bears appeared to tack on another goal with 20 minutes remaining as Turner served the ball up for Hofstetter in the midfield, who headed to Evan Fencik running down the left side. Fencik drew the Amherst keeper out and launched a shot towards that richoted off the right post. The Jeffs stepped up their offensive pressure in the final ten minutes, with two shots from Megan Kim '16 quickly followed by a ball deflecting off the post from Rachael Abernethy '16. Despite the late push, Bowdoin controlled the final three minutes in the offensive end to secure the victory.
McCarthy made four saves in each half to earn the shutout for Bowdoin, with Burwick stopping four total on the Amherst side. The Polar Bears held a slight 13-12 overall edge in shots, while both teams earned four corner kicks.
The Jeffs return to non-conference play on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Springfield at 7 p.m.
