Women's Lax Outscores Conn. College

The women’s lacrosse team continued to demonstrate early-season dominance with a 12-4 victory over the Connecticut College Camels in New London, Conn. on Saturday, March 8. Despite letting up a goal early on in the game and being held scoreless for the first 10 minutes, the Panthers received the spark they needed at minute 20 and never looked back.

After an unassisted goal from Laurel Pascal ’16, Middlebury went on a 10-goal scoring streak that lasted well into the game’s second half. Within a minute and a half of Pascal’s goal, Middlebury was able to add two more to the tally with goals from Alli Sciarretta ’16 and Katie Ritter ’15, both of which were assisted by first-year attacker Mary O’Connell ’17. These goals were soon followed by a goal from senior Liza Herzog ’14 off of a free-position shot, and a goal from O’Connell off of a pass from Pascal.

The Panthers kept the momentum running in their favor going into the half with a goal from Sciarretta assisted again by O’Connell with 2:18 left in the opening period. Middlebury goalkeeper Alyssa Palomba ’14 held the Camels to just a single goal for the first half.

Herzog continued Middlebury’s scoring streak off an unassisted goal 30 seconds into the second half. This was followed by goals from Pascal, Ritter, and O’Connell to put the Panthers up 10-1.

The Panthers streak was ended by a free position shot from Conn. College’s Hanah Donegan.

Middlebury and Conn. College went on to trade goals to finish off the game. Connecticut’s Taylor Thomas added both of those last goals for the Camels, while Middlebury’s goals came from Cat Lincoln ’16, who scored off of a pass from Bridget Instrum ’16.
O’Connell led the Panthers on the day, finishing with a pair of goals and a trio of assists, followed by Pascal who finished with three goals and one assist.

Palomba held down the defense with five saves off of nine shots. Despite letting up three goals in the second half, the Middlebury defense was very strong, letting up only three shots in the first half.

Middlebury out-shot Conn. College 23-14, but was interestingly bested in in ground balls by the Camels 8-10. The Panthers also controlled 12 of the game’s 18 draws in order to gain an edge on the offensive end.
Lincoln commented on the team’s winning effort.

“Everything we have been working on particularly since Tufts really came together and we played successfully as a unit,” Lincoln said. “We’re excited for Wesleyan on Saturday and are ready to play our best on our home field.”

Lincoln finished with one goal on the day.

Middlebury will have an entire week to prepare for Wesleyan next Saturday, March 15, in its home opener at 11 a.m. on Kohn Field.
After tying for last place in the NESCAC a year ago, the Cardinals have started off the 2014 season with a record of 1-2, with both losses coming in conference play.

After torching their first two NESCAC opponents of the young season, the Panthers will look to keep their record unblemished against the underdog Cardinals.