LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bowdoin College field hockey team is off to its first 9-0 start since 1992, after shutting out Bates 3-0 at Campus Avenue Field.

The Polar Bears (9-0, 6-0 NESCAC), ranked fourth in this week's national poll, received a pair of goals from senior Margaret Gormley (Chestnut Hill, Mass.), and Gormley assisted on their third score, to first-year Lindsay McNamara (Milton, Mass.) for a comfortable margin of victory. All three goals were scored off of penalty corners.

"I think in the first half the game was very even. Both teams had their chances," said Bowdoin head coach Nicky Pearson. "In the second half we seemed to pick up our play, and we did an excellent job on the corners."

Bates (3-6, 1-5 NESCAC) held up well against Bowdoin in the first half, exerting some pressure of its own with six shots on goal, and allowing only Gormley's rocket from the perimeter to find the back of the net. But the Bobcats withdrew a bit in the second period, and the Polar Bears outshot the hosts 15-1 in that time.

"Bowdoin is very, very good," said Bates head coach Wynn Hohlt. "We did so well in the first half, but we kind of went back on our heels after a while, and gave them too many good opportunities to score."

Bates goalkeeper Sarah Judice (Granby, Conn.) played a strong game, saving 10 shots, while Bowdoin's Kate Leonard (Eliot, Maine) had four.

Bates is scheduled to play at Wesleyan on Saturday, while Bowdoin will host Connecticut College.

SCORING:

BOWDOIN -- Margaret Gormley (unassisted), 15:18

BOWDOIN -- Margaret Gormley (Allyson Craib, Susan Morris), 47:17

BOWDOIN -- Lindsay McNamara (Margaret Gormley, Taryn King), 57:49

GOALIE SAVES -- Bowdoin 4 (Kate Leonard 70 minutes, 0 GA), Bates 10 (Sarah Judice 70 minutes, 3 GA)

SHOTS -- Bowdoin 25, Bates 7

PENALTY CORNERS -- Bowdoin 13, Bates 4