Women's Soccer Rises to Top NESCAC Spot

Author: Mike Kennedy

The Middlebury women's soccer team pushed its record to 5-1 after three impressive wins last week. The Panthers have now won five straight games, and rank third in New England and 20th nationally heading into this week's action. They are tied atop the NESCAC standings with Bates.

The week began with a clash on the road against nationally ranked Keene State. The Owls entered the game ranked third in New England, presenting the Panthers with a difficult test. Middlebury struck first, as junior Mayo Fujii continued her strong offensive play, drilling a left-footed bullet that found the top corner of the net. A defensive turnover cost the Panthers the early lead, and they found themselves deadlocked at one at the break. In the second half, Middlebury gained back the advantage off junior Brittany Cronin's breakaway goal, only to be answered by a Keene State penalty kick that evened the score at two with under six minutes to go in regulation. At the four minute mark, Cronin buried a misclear off an Amanda Green '04 corner and the Panthers held on for the 3-2 win. "We needed a win against a top team to prove to ourselves that we can play with and beat anybody we are going to face," said Green. "This win did that for us and gave us some confidence heading into a huge NESCAC weekend against Colby and Bowdoin."

The Panthers long awaited home opener against Colby did not start how they had envisioned it. Colby jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and had Middlebury on its heels early in the contest. However, the Panthers refocused and mounted a comeback late in the half, as Cronin continued her hot streak with two more goals to pull them even at the break. Middlebury controlled the second half, and put the White Mules away with goals by Fujii and first-year Erin Pittenger. Co-Captain Michaela Dietz talked about the importance of the win. "To come from two goals down and get the win is big for us. This type of win teaches us that we can come from behind, and that we can't give up after getting down early."

The Panthers did not have too long to savor the Colby victory, as a dangerous Bowdoin squad came to town on Sunday. Both teams were forced to battle the inclement weather, which made for slick field conditions and a more sloppy style of play. The teams traded scoring opportunities throughout the game, but neither was able to capitalize in regulation, and the two rivals headed for overtime. In the first overtime, Middlebury's dominant combination of Fujii and Cronin again combined for a goal, this time as Cronin got a head on a Fujii cross and lofted it into the back of the net. Middlebury's defensive group was once again key in the victory, as sophomore Caitlin Fabian and senior Kelly Feeney helped keep the Bowdoin chances to a minimum, and junior backstop Els Van Woert turned aside each Polar Bear shot on goal. The win was only the second against Bowdoin in the last eight years for the Panthers.

For her outstanding play last week, Cronin was named NESCAC player of the week. She leads the Panthers with eight goals and four assists, and as Fujii described, "Brittany is just getting the job done for us and burying her opportunities. That's why she is the player of the week." The Panthers travel to Amherst this Saturday.