Courtesy Bowdoin Sports Information

Box Score

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Bowdoin held off a late surge by Williams as they captured the NESCAC Championship by a score of 2-1 in Middlebury. The Polar Bears receive an automatic bid to the inaugural NCAA Division III Tournament and will await the pairings on Sunday night.

Bowdoin opened the scoring 6:56 into the contest as Gillian McDonald, fresh off her natural hat-trick last night, scored driving to the net with a shot to the five-hole. Beth Muir scored a four-on-four goal at 13:42 as she picked up a puck from behind the goal and stuffed it in the back of the net. Williams was evening out the shots throughout the game until they put on heavy pressure in the final minutes. Molly Wasserman finally broke through for the Ephs as she scored a power play goal with 2:25 remaining to cut the lead to 2-1. The Ephs put on more pressure with their goaltender pulled, but could not score the equalizer as they outshot Bowdoin 22-19.

Emily McKissock made 21 saves in goal for Bowdoin, while Anna MacIntosh made 17 saves for Williams.

2002 NESCAC WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round - Saturday, Feb. 23 at Higher Seeds
at No. 2 Bowdoin 4, No. 7 Amherst 0
at No. 3 Colby 7, No. 6 Hamilton 1
at No. 4 Williams 7, No. 5 Wesleyan 1

Semifinals - Friday, March 1 at Middlebury
No. 2 Bowdoin 5, vs. No. 3 Colby 1
No. 4 Williams 2, at No. 1 Middlebury 1

Championship Saturday, March 2 at Middlebury
No. 2 Bowdoin 2, vs. No. 4 Williams 1