MIDDLETOWN, CT. -  The Wesleyan women's ice hockey team opened the season at home on Friday night with a 5-1 defeat to Bowdoin College in the first game of the weekend NESCAC series at Spurrier-Snyder Arena as Beats Tura '26 lead the way with the Wesleyan goal.

The Cardinal's defense was put to the test early, the Polar Bears pressing heavy from the opening faceoff. Armed with a 12-7 shot differential in the first period, the Bears were unrelenting, but the Cardinals held up, both teams entering the second period without a tally on the scoreboard.

The ice tilted in favor of the Bears as the second period was underway, the Bears scoring four goals in 12 minutes, the first coming in the opening minute. Sara Ito-Bagshaw opened the scoring on the power play as the Cardinals were called for hooking at the end of the first period. Luna Lu, Meghan Britt, and Bella Schifano put away three more goals to take the four-goal lead seven minutes remaining.

Fueled now to chip away at the lead and a potential shutout, the Cardinals cut the scoring lead to three goals of the stick of Tura. Caroline Kee '26 won the faceoff to give possession to the Cardinals, trapping the Bears to their own zone. Aimee Seppenwolde '26 corralled the puck down low in the near corner, passing back to Kimberly Jung '27 at the line. Tura received the puck and snapped a high shot from the point behind Sarah Peterson.

Sofia Nesvold scored for the Bears in the third period, a fifth and final goal to close the evening.

Kee led the way from the circle with 14 draw wins for the Cardinals and three total shots on goal.

In goal, Jenna Guglielmi '27 finished the night with 30 saves. Peterson earned the win with 26 saves.

The Cardinals and the Polar Bears return to action on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m.