Molly Wagner '08 scored a game-high four goals, and now has 38 this season.

BRUNSWICK, Maine -- The Bowdoin College women's lacrosse team outscored Bates 6-1 in the final 25 minutes to take an important 12-8 NESCAC victory on Wednesday evening in Brunswick. The Polar Bears (8-5, 4-4 NESCAC) move into a three-way tie for fifth place in the conference standings with one game remaining, while Bates (8-6, 2-6) is eliminated from postseason contention.



Bowdoin held a slim 6-4 edge at intermission, thanks to an Ali Draudt free-position goal right before the break. Following halftime, Bates rode the back of junior Molly Wagner (Longmeadow, Mass.) -- who scored three goals in less than three minutes -- to take a 7-6 advantage with 25:38 remaining.



Bowdoin responded with a goal from Christina Denitzio at 24:39, and took the lead on consecutive scores from Bobbi Dennison just 41 seconds apart. The Polar Bear defense clamped down, allowing just a single goal in the final 25:37, and Bowdoin closed with a flourish, as Kate Donoghue, Bridget Keating and Denitzio all scored with under 10 minutes left to seal the win.



Junior Katie Nickerson (Windham, N.H.)stopped 13 shots for Bates, who got a game-high four goals from Wagner. Wagner also caused five turnovers, while first-year Avery Masters (Mill Valley, Calif.) added a pair of tallies for the Bobcats. Dennison led Bowdoin with a hat trick, while also earning five draw controls. Jill Steigerwald, Denitzio and Keating each had two scores for the Polar Bears.



Bates finishes the season at home against Wesleyan on Saturday at 12 p.m.

-- Bowdoin Sports Information

STATS: Bowdoin 12, Bates 8