Field Hockey Moves into First Place

Author: Carrie Evans

The women's field hockey team improved its record to 9-4 last week with wins at home over St. Michael's and Tufts. In defeating Tufts, Middlebury moved into a three way tie with Bowdoin and Williams for first place in the NESCAC with one game to play until the championship round begins.
The Panthers beat St. Mike's, the 2001 Northeast-10 regular season co-champions, 7-2 last week. After losing to St. Mike's last year, the Middlebury team was ready to play aggressively against this strong Division II team. The game opened a minute into play with a goal from Char Glessner '03. St. Mike's returned with a goal three minutes later to tie the game, and then took a 2-1 lead soon after. Allison Smith '06 tied the game at 2-2, and a penalty stroke from Glessner put Middlebury in the lead for the rest of the game. To close the first half, Middlebury turned up the offense with another goal from Smith and increased the lead to 5-2 after a goal from senior Kate Perrine. Rookie Channing Weymouth '06 scored just 40 seconds into the second half, and Glessner scored her third to end the game at 7-2. Goalies Jo Opot '05 and Anna Spiegel '06 combined to save 13 for Middlebury.
Saturday's 4-0 shutout against Tufts was an important victory for the Panthers in light of losses for both Williams and Bowdoin this weekend. Despite the cold and rainy weather, Middlebury dominated the game, coming out with a strong team offensive effort and taking advantage of spectacular goaltending by Opot. Weymouth scored the first goal of the game midway into the first half, and Smith's goal with eight minutes left gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead at the break. Sophomore Ashley Pullen scored twelve minutes into the second half and Sydney Atkins '05 sealed the victory with the final goal. Opot finished with eight saves.
Middlebury's game at Connecticut College this weekend will be its last before NESCAC championship play begins on Sunday with a game at home. The team will work hard this week, focusing on upcoming NESCAC play, and feels confident about its prospects. Putting things into perspective, Pullen concluded "it's definitely a league where anything can happen."