BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College women's lacrosse team scored the first dozen goals of the game en route to a 16-1 win over Bridgewater State University in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament Wednesday evening at Ryan Field. 

The eighth-ranked Polar Bears (14-3) advance to the second round on Saturday where they will face 17th-ranked Geneseo, who knocked off previously unbeaten Susquehanna in an opening round contest earlier on Wednesday. The NCAA will announce a regional location on Thursday morning. Bridgewater ends a fantastic season with a record of 17-3.

Lindsay Picard led the way for Bowdoin with a three-goal, one-assist effort that also included six draw controls. Betsy Sachs sparked the Polar Bear attack with five assists while Jordan Smith also pitched in three goals. Bridgewater's lone score came courtesy of Taylor Clancy. 

Bowdoin didn't get on the scoreboard until the 21:59 mark of the opening half thanks to a Taylor Wilson score. The Polar Bears stretched the lead to 2-0 on Picard's first goal of the night at 15:56. Bowdoin hit its stride towards the end of the period, however, rolling off eight goals in a 13-minute span that expanded the lead to 10-0 early in the second half. Megan O'Connor keyed the run with a pair of scores while Picard also scored twice in the surge. Goals by Emma Beecher and Smith increased Bowdoin's lead to 12-0 before Clancy got Bridgewater State on the board with 13:29 remaining. The Polar Bears scored four more times over the final 11 minutes to cap the win. 

Tara Connolly was forced to make three saves in net for Bowdoin over the first 43:50 without allowing a goal. Isabel Sippel (one goal allowed, one save) played 11:16 before giving way to Ella Blanchon (one save) for the final 4:54. Chandler Ross (one save, eight goals allowed) and Jessica Polaski (four saves, eight goals allowed) split halves for Bridgewater State. 

Bowdoin held a 22-9 advantage in shots for the game and 14-6 edge in draw controls. Erica Nangeroni led Bowdoin with five caused turnovers. Clancy had three caused turnovers for Bridgewater State. 

The Polar Bears improve to 7-4 all-time in NCAA Tournament play. They have never faced Geneseo State in program history.