BRUNSWICK, Maine -- Senior Brendan Reich (Montvale, N.J.) scored three goals and had two assists as fourth-ranked Bowdoin College defeated the University of Southern Maine, 7-1, Friday night in an ECAC East-NESCAC interleague game at the Sidney J. Watson Arena.

            The win was the second straight, and sixth in the last seven games, for the Polar Bears.  Ranked fourth in the nation in this week's USCHO.com Division III poll, the Polar Bears improved to 9-2-0 overall and 6-2-0 in league play.  The loss was the third straight for the Huskies who slipped to 4-7-2 overall and 2-6-0 in league games.

            Sophomore Daniel Weiniger (Warren, N.J.) had a goal and three assists for Bowdoin, and senior Jeff Fanning (Billerica, Mass.) had two goals, including the game winner.  Junior goalie Richard Nerland (Calgary, Alberta) stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Bowdoin cage.

            Freshman Angelo Vrachnas (St. James, N.Y.) had the lone goal for Southern Maine.  Classmate Braely Torris (Eckville, Alberta) registered 49 saves.

            Bowdoin special teams played a key role, converting 4 of 10 power-play opportunities and killing off all nine short-handed situations.  The two teams combined for 33 infractions totaling 118 penalty minutes.

            The Polar Bears opened a 3-0 lead in the opening eight minutes as Reich scored twice around a goal by Fanning.

            Vrachnas had the lone goal of the second period to get the Huskies back within striking distance. 

            The Polar Bears, who poured 28 shots on Torris in the final period, scored twice in the opening 2:16 of the third period to take command.  Reich netted his hat trick goal at 12:32, and Fanning scored his second at 14:37 while the Polar Bears enjoyed a 5 x 3 advantage.

            Southern Maine travels to in-state rival Colby College on Saturday (3:00 p.m.) for another ECAC East-NESCAC interleague game.  Bowdoin hosts the University of New England on Saturday (4:00 p.m.).