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Nicky Pearson

No field hockey team in the country was more successful than Bowdoin College in 2007 and 2008.

The Polar Bears went a remarkable 39-2 in that span, winning back-to-back NCAA Division III national titles and establishing the program among the nation's elite.

Cue to 2009. Eight seniors have graduated, including two All-Americans and the starting goalie.

Bowdoin currently is 7-3 overall and 3-3 in the New England Small College Athletic Conference, which puts in the middle of the pack.

Exactly how far this team can go is yet to be determined. What is clear, said Coach Nicky Pearson, is that her team is a young but hungry group.

"What I love about this team is that they honestly come every day committed to getting better," said Pearson, in her 14th season at Bowdoin. "That will be the hallmark of this team.

"They don't feel sorry for themselves. They just have this attitude of 'What can I add to my game that's going to make me and the team better?' It's unbelievably motivating."

The Polar Bears have won four consecutive NESCAC championships.

Team captain Shavonne Lord, a senior from Shrewsbury, Mass., said the biggest change this year is the personnel on the field.

Eight new players get to start, with other newcomers coming off the bench.

"It's given so many people a chance to step up," said Lord. "We had such a large class these last few years that was such a force, not everyone had opportunities. It's been great."

That experience, said Pearson, is invaluable.

"They're gaining unbelievable experience. Some were playing 10 or 15 minutes a game last year and now we're asking them to play 70 minutes," she said.

"They have to build that nonverbal understanding on the field this team has had the last couple of years."

The top eight teams qualify for the league playoffs. Following conference tournaments, the NCAA field of 24 is chosen with 16 automatic bids going to conference winners and eight teams receiving at-large bids.

"Our record is different than it was at this point last year," said Lord. "But I think if we can really come together as a team and reach our potential, which we haven't done yet, our goal will be nothing less than to win another national championship. I think we have the talent."

After a home game at 6 p.m. today against the University of Maine at Farmington, Bowdoin faces the top three teams in the conference before the regular season ends: Williams, Trinity and Tufts.

BOWDOIN

The men's soccer team is 7-2-1, its best start since 2006, following a 4-0 win over Colby-Sawyer on Monday. Freshman Michael Gale scored two goals for the Polar Bears.

- Midfielder Dana Riker of Cape Elizabeth had a goal and assist to lead the women's soccer team to a 4-0 win over Bridgewater State on Tuesday. The Polar Bears are 6-4.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE

Junior Carly Dion of Biddeford finished second among 266 runners Saturday at the 2009 James Earley Invitational hosted by Westfield State College. The finish helped USM win the team title. Dion ran the 5,000-meter Stanley Park course in 19 minutes, 23.92 seconds.

Jennie Foley of Bangor finished 10th overall and earned her third Little East Conference rookie of the week award.

- The men's cross country team is ranked No. 5 in the latest U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division III regional poll, and No. 22 nationally.

The team is led by Tyler Jasud of Rumford, who finished 21st at the 2009 New England Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association championships last weekend in Boston. Jasud helped the Huskies to a program-best seventh-place finish.

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

On tap for the Black Bears football team this week is Richmond, at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association, the top-ranked team in the...