(Photos by Mark Box of Clarus Studios)

Amherst, Mass. – Junior goalkeeper Emily Horwitz registered 22 saves but the 12th-ranked Amherst field hockey team fell short to third-ranked Bowdoin College Saturday, 4-1 in its home opener at Gooding Field.

With the loss, Amherst falls to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in the NESCAC, while the Polar Bears move to 2-0 on the year and 1-0 in league play.

After beginning the game with energetic back-and-fourth play, it was the Polar Bears who struck first to get on the board in the 23rd minute. Collecting a loose ball on the top left of the circle, Rachel Kennedy sent a hard pass toward teammate Nicole Barbieri who was able to tip the ball past Horwitz.

Unrelenting, Amherst kept up the pressure and was able to earn a penalty corner at the 27-minute mark. Providing the Polar Bears with an offensive scare, Elizabeth Turnbull '18 corralled the corner pass from Katie Paolano '16 and blasted a shot on net that was nearly turned away.

With time winding down in the half, Kennedy was able to take advantage of Bowdoin's seventh corner of the game, sending a low hard shot from the top of the circle into the goal on a pass from Kelsey Mullaney.

It proved difficult for either team to gain momentum in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

Despite the Jeffs having another corner opportunity in the 41st minute, it was once again Bowdoin who was able to find the back of the net. In a display of athleticism, Horwitz skillfully turned away three Polar Bear shots at the 45-minute mark, however the ball ultimately hit the foot of an Amherst player in the box in the resulting skirmish and a Bowdoin penalty stroke was awarded. Rachel Kennedy used the opportunity to earn her fifth point on the day.

Amherst was quick to respond this time, with Sara Culhane '17 netting her fourth of the season and the Jeffs' lone goal of the game just two-minutes after the penalty stroke to make it a 3-1 contest.

The Polar Bears would notch one more score in the outing, with Kimmy Ganong recording a goal with 18 minutes left on the clock.

In a stellar defensive effort, tri-captain Annie Turnbull '16 recorded three defensive saves for the Jeffs. In the win, goaltender Clara Belitz of Bowdoin collected a save and surrendered one score. Bowdoin held a 32-3 advantage in shots and 12-4 advantage in corner opportunities.

Amherst returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 16 when they take the field for a non-league matchup against Keene State at home.