BRUNSWICK — Nicky Pearson wasn’t aware how many career wins she had before Wednesday’s game, but the longtime Bowdoin field hockey coach knows now.
With a 3-0 shutout of Wellesley, Pearson became the 10th coach in NCAA Division III history to reach the 400-win mark. Pearson has spent her entire 29-season head coaching career with the Polar Bears.
“Certainly is a privilege,” Pearson said. “It just sort of reminds me of the incredible student-athletes that I’ve had the privilege of coaching. They’ve won the games, you know. (I’ve) just been on the sideline, just watched some brilliant hockey.”
Emily Ferguson scored twice and Hannah Balmelli added a first-quarter goal as Bowdoin stayed undefeated. It’s the program’s first 5-0 start since 2018.
Pearson, who also doubles as the associate athletic director, said she found out about the milestone from her assistant coach after the final buzzer.
The humble head coach then realized she was due for a bit of pomp and circumstance. Players presented her with flowers, a card and a hand-drawn poster of three polar bears celebrating the 400th victory.
“It’s an honor to call Nicky our coach,” senior captain Andrea DiTeodoro said. “She cares about us so much, not just as athletes and field hockey players, but as people as well. We always look forward to coming to practice or seeing her in her office or at games or anything like that, just because she’s such a great presence and has such a huge impact on all of us. She puts so much work and time and passion into this program, and we feel really lucky to be a part of it.”
Pearson has built Bowdoin field hockey into a premier program since being hired in 1996.
Her list of accolades includes eight conference titles, nine New England Small College Athletic Conference coach of the year awards, four NFHCA D-III coach of the year awards, and four national championships (2007, 2008, 2010, 2013). The 2007 squad went 20-0 and won the first NCAA team title in school history.
When asked how 400 wins can come about, senior captain Mackay Bommer had a simple answer.
“She’s just the best,” Bommer said. “Huge heart and huge passion for the game. It’s unmatched.”
Pearson said it comes with her players having a sense of pride when wearing the Bowdoin jersey and instilling a winning culture into the next class of players.
“I love the game,” Pearson said. “I love teaching. I love coaching. … Those relationships that you build with the players, you know, honestly, it’s more important than the wins. The wins come and go, but those relationships you have with players and coming out here every day, that’s what keeps you going.”
Sharon Pfluger, who is in her 40th season at The College of New Jersey, has the most Division III wins with 677. Dawn Chamberlin (Salisbury), Amy Watson (Keene State) and Katherine DeLorenzo (Middlebury) are the other active coaches with at least 400 wins.
Longtime North Carolina coach Karen Shelton, who won 745 games, 25 ACC championships and 10 national championships from 1981-2022, is the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history.
