BRUNSWICK — The NCAA Division III field hockey Final Four is set to begin on Saturday at Lexington, Va., with the Bowdoin College Polar Bears looking to repeat as NCAA champions.
Nicky Pearson, in her 19th year leading the Polar Bears, has led her team to an 18-2 mark this season. Bowdoin will face Salisbury (19-1) at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the first semifinal, followed at 2 p.m. by The College of New Jersey (21-1) and New England Small College Athletic Conference champion Middlebury (19-1).
This season hasn’t been easy for Bowdoin, which has outscored its opponents 74-10. The Polar Bears lost twice on their home field, falling to Trinity and Middlebury (NESCAC title game). The home setbacks were the first for Bowdoin since 2010.
“Playing in the NESCAC is always a challenge, with Middlebury also in the Final Four, which says something about the conference,” said Pearson, who has a career record at Bowdoin of 284-56 along with four D-III national titles (2007, ’08, ’10, ’13). “Every game is a challenge. Plus, being the defending national champion means that every opponent wants to beat you, sends their best effort at you. All year, we were ready for that.”
Bowdoin earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and defeated Mount Holyoke in the second round on Saturday, 4-0. The Polar Bears battled a tough Skidmore squad on Sunday. Tied 1-1 in overtime, Bowdoin leading scorer Rachel Kennedy came through like she has all season, scoring the game-winning goal four minutes into extra time for a 2-1 win, sending Bowdoin to its eighth Final Four in the past 10 seasons.
“Rachel is not only a great scorer, but occupies our opponents, which often opens up opportunities for others to score,” said Pearson after watching the junior tally a team-leading 66 points (31 goals, four assists) this season. “She works harder without the ball, and she inspires the younger players. They all look up to her.”
Bowdoin will face Salisbury, which defeated Wellesley 1-0 in the third round. The semifinal is a rematch of last year’s national title contest, which Bowdoin won 1-0.
The College of New Jersey slipped past Catholic University on Sunday, 1-0, while Middlebury advanced with a dominating 5-1 victory over Ursinus.
The coach is proud of her Polar Bears.
“I am the only one who knows how hard they work day-in and day-out,” Pearson said. “I want this for them so bad. They are a great group of players that work hard every single day, and I believe they have come together well and that they believe they can win every game.
“We have discussed how much of a privilege it is for us to get this point, to play teams that want to give it their all because they are playing against Bowdoin. It is an honor.”
Along with Kennedy, sophomore Kimmy Ganong has 30 points (11 goals, eight assists), while senior Adrienne O’Donnell (8-9-26) and Colleen Finnerty (7-5-19) have been solid.
In goal, Bowdoin is led by senior Hannah Gartner, who has started all 20 games, posted nine shutouts and a 0.45 goals against average.
Salisbury is led offensively by junior Courtney Jantzen with 22 goals and seven assists. Senior Mallory Elliott (14-11) and junior Samantha Johnson (13-16) have also been solid, while senior goaltender Rachel Clewer has a 1.04 GAA as the Sea Gulls have outscored their opponents 103-18.
The College of New Jersey has a potent offense, scoring 102 goals this season led by senior Lindsey Hatch, who has tallied 32 goals and dished out 21 assists for 85 points. Sophomore Jaclyn Douglas (21-7) and senior Erin Healy (17-11) have also provided punch up front, while sophomore goaltender Kelly Schlupp has a solid 0.79 GAA with five shutouts.
And, Middlebury, which downed Bowdoin 2-1 in the NESCAC title game, is led in goal by senior keeper Emily Knapp’s 0.68 GAA and five shutouts. Offensively, senior Catherine Fowler has 50 points (20-10), while sophomore Pam Schulman (11-7) and junior Bridget Instrum (11-16) have produced for the Panthers.
Pearson feels all four teams have a solid chance of becoming the 2014 National champs.
“This weekend will be a tournament between four great teams, and it is just wonderful to be part of it,” said Pearson. “We don’t take our success, reaching this point of the season, for granted. You hope to have a shot, and we have that shot. It never gets old going to a Final Four. It is something each player should cherish.”
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