Bowdoin 2010

2009 Recap: Bowdoin circa 2009 was somewhat of an enigma. Playing one of the toughest schedules in the country, the Polar Bears registered a respectable 10-6 record en route to a semifinal loss to Tufts. This was a team that boasted two very talented midfielders in Kit Smith and Cullen Winkler, a solid attack and a strong defense led by Boomer Repko and Brian Holden. So what kept the Bears from greatness? Inconsistency in goal. Make no mistake about it, when he is on his game Jake McCampbell can be a stone wall. He posted six games with a save percentage of .650 or higher. Unfortunately for Bowdoin, he also posted six games with a save percentage of .550 or lower. Not by a coincidence, these were the six games that Bowdoin lost. Obviously, the difference in save percentage cannot be entirely attributed to McCampbell, but it is clear that he needs to greatly improve his consistency if Bowdoin is to compete with the offensive powerhouse that is Tufts.

2010 Trend: Upward

What's hot: Kit Smith is a force. He's big and powerful with decent speed and stick skills.. He has the potential to be dominant in a special way if he makes certain nuanced improvements to his game. The challenge in this is that Smith is also a hockey player which detracts from his preparation from lacrosse and will undoubtedly limit his impact. On the defensive end, when McCampbell is hot Bowdoin is in any game they play, no matter the opponent. Given the weakened states of Middlebury and Wesleyan this year relative to in the past, the skids are greased for Bowdoin to make a run for the NESCAC title.

What's not: Replacing Repko and Holden is a stiff challenge, further emphasizing the need for improved play from McCampbell. Kit Smith is going have to bear a heavy load on offense with the losses of Ashforth and Winkler. I have not seen Bowdoin's schedule yet, but if they have to run a gauntlet of tough games like last year they may be setting the bar too high. A more balanced schedule would be in order.

What we should be talking about: How ugly Bowdoin's horizontal black and white striped shorts were; What the hell Cullen Winkler's parents were thinking when they named him Cullen Winkler; Whether or not it's fair to declare that a new era is upon us if Tufts and Bowdoin meet in the NESCAC championship game; Does Jake McCampbell have multiple personality disorder?; Are there actually Polar bears in Maine?; If so, should visiting fans be worried?; Who would win in a fight between a polar bear and an elephant?