BIDDEFORD ”“ Facing its first test against against a nationally ranked opponent, UNE came up well short, falling hard to No. 15 Bowdoin, 20-3, in a non-conference women’s lacrosse tilt at the Big Blue Turf.

A trio of Polar Bears (7-1) ”“ juniors Katie Herter and Katie Stewart and freshman Jordan Smith ”“ popped in three goals apiece.

Nor’easter freshman netminder Samantha St. Pierre was kept hopping, as she faced 42 Bowdoin shots, and came up with 13 stops, a career high.

UNE (3-7, 2-4) did hold a lead, but it was a brief one, after junior Jenna Barton connected with 1:26 gone in the first half to put the Nor’easters up 1-0.

It was Barton’s ninth goal of the season.

However, 61 seconds later, Bowdoin’s McKenna Teague scored to set off a four goal Polar Bear run that was punctuated by Herter’s two goals in a 32 second span.

UNE closed to within 4-2, after Barton set up freshman Hannah Tavella for her team-high 25th tally.

Bowdoin promptly reeled off seven unanswered goals before halftime to take an 11-2 lead into the break.

Junior Jessy Dvorak (her 15th) netted the final UNE goal, late in the second half.

The Nor’easters will return to TCCC play, Wednesday, when they’ll host first place Endicott College (7 p.m.).

Former Kennebunk standout Brooke Worcester is a freshman attack for the Gulls.