Tufts knocks off top-notch Bowdoin in OT

Brunswick, ME _ The women's soccer team picked up a huge victory over the previously undefeated Bowdoin Polar Bears in overtime on Saturday.

Bowdoin entered the game atop the NESCAC with a 7-0-1 record, and was ranked second in New England and 13th in the nation. But the Jumbos would pull off the upset, capitalizing on a corner kick five minutes into the overtime period to take the game 2-1.

Tufts improved to 5-2 on the year with the win, and has now won three straight games. By beating Bowdoin, the Jumbos move into first place in the NESCAC, tied with Williams at 3-1 in conference play, while the Polar Bears, at 3-1-1, drop to third.

"Bowdoin was undefeated, so this is a big win for us," junior Jess Trombly said. "This was very important for our confidence. Bowdoin is a good team; they're tough and very skilled. Winning makes us believe in ourselves and raises our confidence a lot. Wins can start good habits that we hope will last the rest of the season."

The Jumbos dominated play for most of the game, coming out strong from the start and surprising a tough Bowdoin team. Tufts forced Bowdoin goalkeeper Anna Shapnell to make 20 saves, while Tufts goalie Meg McCourt needed just four to pick up her fifth win of the season.

"We were in control of the game for most of the time," coach Martha Whiting said. "They definitely had their breaks and chances, but for the most part we really threw them off because we played very aggressively and very confidently."

Although Tufts out-played Bowdoin most of the game, it was the Polar Bears who struck first Saturday, translating a Jumbo mistake into a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute. The Tufts defense turned the ball over in its own box, and Bowdoin senior tri-captain Shelly Chessie sent it into the net to give her team the early edge.

"We had a couple mental breaks, and one of those resulted in a goal, but those things happen," Whiting said. "We didn't let it get our heads down."

Tufts kept up its strong play after the goal, but Bowdoin's defense held, keeping the lead intact through the end of the first period. Even though the Jumbos were down 1-0, the team was optimistic at the half.

"Even when we were facing adversity and losing at halftime, the players really sucked it up and didn't let it affect them," Whiting said. "We knew we were playing well, and even though we were losing, we all felt that we would win the game."

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Tufts finally evened the score, with sophomore forward Jen Baldwin driving a pass from freshman Lindsay Garmirian into the Bowdoin net. The goal was Baldwin's second of the year, while Garmirian picked up her first collegiate point with the assist.

Both sides had solid scoring chances down the stretch, but neither could convert, sending the game into overtime.

Tufts continued to pressure in overtime, earning a corner kick just less than five minutes into the extra frame. Senior co-captain Alle Sharlip took the kick, crossing it into the box to fellow senior captain Cara Glassanos. Glassanos headed it in, sending the ball past Shapnell to give the Jumbos the victory.

"We've been having trouble converting on corner kicks, so it was great to get that goal," Whiting said. "Alle hit an amazing cross, and Cara was at the other end of it and just banged it into the back of the net. It was awesome."

With seven goals in their last three games, the Jumbos appear to have finally shaken off the offensive woes that plagued them early in the season.

"All the practice is starting to pay off," Whiting said. "And also, when you have a very solid defense, it's easier to play well offensively. When the other team can't get the ball out of their half of the field, you're able to get a lot more opportunities. It starts in the back and works it's way forward."

The coach also points to her team's cohesiveness as a key factor in the Jumbos' success lately. The team, she says, has begun to gel, and its play has improved as the season has progressed.

"It's pretty clear that we have a talented team, but it doesn't really mean much until you start playing together," Whiting said. "We're in a bit of a groove now. The players are starting to feel comfortable with each other, and are becoming more confident in themselves and in each other. Everything is starting to click."

The Jumbos will head to Waltham on Tuesday to take on non-conference Brandeis, before next weekend's NESCAC match-up against Trinity. After starting 4-0, the Judges have dropped to 5-3, and have lost their last two games. But, coming off a big win, Tufts has to be careful not to look past Tuesday's game.

"Even though Brandeis isn't one of the best teams on our schedule, they're a tough team to play, especially on their field," Whiting said. "It was great to get such a big win, but we have to put that behind us and really focus on Tuesday now."