MEDFORD, Mass. – The Connecticut College women's soccer team's season came to close in the NESCAC quarterfinals, falling to third seeded Bowdoin College 1-0 on Sunday in a neutral site contest on Bello Field. With the loss, Conn ends the season at 9-6-1, while Bowdoin improves to 9-3-4.
Conn (9-6-1) recorded the first two shots of the contest in the opening seven minutes, with Camille Cortes (Annandale, Va.) having her effort blocked, and Morgan Plouffe (Johnston, R.I.) having hers saved. A minute later, Bowdoin got their first shot, but it was blocked. After a foul by the Camels at 11:18, the Polar Bears got the opening goal. On the ensuing free kick, the ball bounced around in the box, falling to Mary Rainey, sneaking it into the near post, putting Bowdoin up 1-0 at 11:51. Conn responded with a couple of chances, but trailed 1-0 at the break.
Both defenses continued their strong play early in the second half, as neither side was able to generate much. With just under 14 minutes remaining, the Camels had their best chance to tie the game, as Ella Gazo (Colchester, Vt.) curled a shot on goal that forced a fantastic save from Bowdoin goalkeeper Charlotte Iannone to tip it over the bar. Conn continued to search for the equalizing goal to send the game to extra time, but the clock was not on the Camels side, as Conn came up short 1-0.
Bowdoin held a slim edge on total shots and shots on goal, 10-9 and 6-4 respectively, while Conn was awarded five corners while the Polar Bears did not have any.
Sarah Hall (Tualatin, Ore.) had a strong game in net, making five saves on six shots. Four Camels recorded a shot on goal, as Mya Johnson (Old Lyme, Conn.), Kristyn Moran (Hingham, Mass.), Plouffe, and Gazo all put efforts on target.
Iannone picked up the win between the sticks, making four saves for the Polar Bears. Bowdoin was led on offense by Rainey, who tallied the game's only goal.
Conn's season comes to a close, as the Camels finish with nine wins for the second time in three seasons, earning their fourth consecutive NESCAC playoff berth.
