Field Hockey Falls to Middlebury in NESCAC Semifinals

11/7/2026 | Field Hockey | Box Score

MEDFORD, Mass. – The Bowdoin College field hockey team saw its NESCAC Championship run come to an end Saturday afternoon, falling to Middlebury College, 2-0, in the conference semifinals at Tufts University’s Ounjian Field.

The Polar Bears drop to 13-4 on the season, while Middlebury improves to 15-2 and advances to Sunday’s conference championship game against Tufts. The matchup featured two of the top three teams in the NCAA Division III NPI rankings, with Bowdoin ranked third and Middlebury second.

Game Highlights

• The teams battled through a scoreless opening quarter, with Bowdoin goalkeeper Eva Filipponi making two early saves and Hannah Balmelli generating a scoring opportunity for the Polar Bears.
• Middlebury broke the deadlock with 6:06 remaining in the second quarter, as Claire McMichael scored her sixth goal of the season to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead at halftime.
• Bowdoin held Middlebury without a shot in the third quarter and generated three attempts of its own, including two penalty corners, but could not find the equalizer.
• The Panthers doubled their advantage with 10:12 remaining in regulation on a goal by Addie Chandler, her team-leading 13th of the season, to account for the final margin.

By The Numbers

• Middlebury finished with a 12-7 advantage in shots and a 6-3 edge in penalty corners.
• Filipponi made six saves for Bowdoin, while Ella Davies added a defensive save.
• Emily Ferguson led the Polar Bears with two shots.

Up Next

Bowdoin, ranked third nationally in the NCAA Division III NPI rankings, is likely to receive an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament when the championship field is announced Sunday, November 8, at 9:00 p.m. on NCAA.com.