Courtesy of Williams Sports Information

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - An early goal from Annie Higgins propelled Connecticut College (15-2-0, 8-2-0 NESCAC) to a 1-0 victory over Bowdoin (12-4-0, 8-2-0 NESCAC) in the NESCAC Women's Soccer Semifinal on Saturday. The Camels, who last appeared in the conference semifinals in 2004, advanced to their first-ever final.

Higgins scored off a breakaway in the seventh minute, taking a leading pass from Michelle Medina that split the last two Polar Bear defenders and dribbling just inside the 18 before sliding a rolling shot past Bowdoin goalkeeper Bridget McCarthy for her fourth goal of the season. The tally capped off an early offensive flurry for the Camels and for Higgins, who recorded four shots—three on goal—within the game's first 17 minutes.

Though the Camels kept the Polar Bears on the back foot for much of the afternoon, Bowdoin had its chances, including a dangerous opportunity just minutes after the Camels took the lead that came courtesy of Amanda Kinneston. The midfielder sliced through the Camel defense before dishing a pass out wide to Evan Fencik and quickly getting a return feed; Kinneston then fired two shots in quick succession, but was stopped first by a Camel defender, then goalie Bryanna Montalvo.

Montalvo made four saves in all to earn her NESCAC-leading eleventh shutout of the season for the Camels. McCarthy, who finishes the season leading the conference with an .899 save percentage, stopped seven shots for the Polar Bears, who were out-shot 17-12 and struggled to put together any significant chances in the game's waning moments.

With the win, the Camels avenged a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Polar Bears in their October 18 visit to Brunswick. They will look to do the same in tomorrow's final against host Williams, which defeated the Camels in New London by a 3-0 count on September 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.