Middlebury rebounds in 3-1 win

Author: Ryan W. Reese

Coming off a shocking loss to Skidmore, the Middlebury women's field hockey team had some issues to sort through. This non-conference battle opened some eyes and gave the Panthers an early-season gut check that proved to be exactly what the squad needed. Senior Co-Captain Allison Smith noted, "The Skidmore game was really a wake-up call that showed us some weak spots. We definitely recognized some areas that we needed to work on to become a better team." The team had almost a week to work out the kinks before they traveled south to Middletown, Conn. in order to take on the home-standing Cardinals of Wesleyan College.

The Panthers knew that the ladies in red would pose a serious threat to tallying another notch in the win column simply because of their home-field advantage. Smith explained, "Wesleyan plays on a grass field and we are generally not a grass team. The slower play of grass doesn't really allow us to play the fast-paced style that we're accustomed to." As it stood, Middlebury was at an immediate disadvantage. They struggled the entire first half as the Cardinals jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Playing with the confidence a lead can bring, the Wesleyan kept the Panthers in an uncomfortable position throughout the entire first half. As time was running out on Middlebury, the fire starter Ashley Lyddane '06 converted an opportunity off a penalty corner to even the scales as the horn blew for the half.

As Lyddane and the Panthers took the field for the second stanza, there was no doubt that the momentum had changed and the tide had turned. With waves of attack bombarding the Cardinal defense, it was only a matter of time before the women in blue stroked another one home. At the halfway point, the ever-ready Lyddane broke free once again and found herself in on goal. Never the one to disappoint, the senior from Greenwich, Conn. rattled the back of the cage for the go-ahead goal. After this devastating blow, Wesleyan found ways to create chances, but none were good enough to truly threaten Middlebury's stalwart backline. Just to seal the deal, Claire Edelen '07 sent a screamer past the Cardinal goalkeeper with seven seconds remaining to round out the day's scoring.

Goalkeeper Meghan McGillen '07 did her best impersonation of a stone wall in goal as usual. The junior stood strong against the Cardinal attackers while recording six saves on the day. She continues to be the anchor of the Panther defense in goal. There is little doubt that she will be a key to Middlebury's success throughout the remainder of the season.

This weekend brings in a storm from the Northeast as the two NESCAC teams from Maine will be bringing their brand of hockey to the Peter Kohn Field. With a Colby squad that is in the midst of a rebuilding year, the Mules are the lesser of the two evils. A very strong Bowdoin team will challenge the Panthers all over the field in Sunday's matchup. The contest against the Polar Bears will take Middlebury to the limit and by the end of the afternoon, it will be clear whether or not the adjustments and lessons learned after the Skidmore loss have moved the Panthers forward in their season-long quest for NESCAC glory.