NESCAC Award Sweeter Second Time for Neil

Author: Andrew Zimmermann

For the second time this season Middlebury College women's hockey player Amber Neil '03 has won the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) player of the week honor. The junior defensemen earned the distinction last week in three Panther wins in which she scored five goals and assisted on another two. Her scoring is an added bonus coming from a defenseman as she is the league leader in scoring for her position. With her help Middlebury stymied league foes Williams, Amherst and Hamilton while only allowing one goal in the three contests.

Neil is now the team leader in points with 2,4 having compiled 11 goals and 13 assists. She and her fellow Panthers are off to a terrific start as the number-one ranked team in the nation. In a stunning turn of events Middlebury lost its first Division III game in seven years this weekend ending their streak of 136 straight.

This is a testament to strong players like Neil and the caliber of talent Middlebury posesses and recruits. This week the women look to take out any frustration on Williams and Gustavus Adolphus. Middlebury will also be spending its February Break playing league foes Trinity and Wesleyan away.