Panthers prevail in thriller

Author: James Edward Kerrigan

Rallying late in the second half, the women's soccer team netted three unanswered goals to come from behind and beat Connecticut College 3-2.

Returning players traveled overseas and played four matches to prepare for the fall season. They came back ready. From Denmark to Dragone Field, the club showed the rest of the NESCAC that their winning ways show no signs of changing. Following a 15-1-3 record in 2004, the team has set the bar high.

After a scoreless first half, Connecticut College came out of the gates firing in the second half with two goals in four minutes to take a 2-0 lead. Connecticut College gave the Panthers two tough matches last year. In September, Middlebury escaped with a goal in the final thirty seconds in the September contest and narrowly beat them in the double overtime thriller in the NESCAC semifinals.

Middlebury had been and continued to dominate the play despite giving up two quick goals. Coach Kim noted, "The girls deserve all the credit for rallying. They looked like they were going to win even when they were down by two." The Panther's attacked with everything they had. Pushing the ball forward, the women unleashed shot after shot - even on several occasions when they would get it past the Connecticut College keeper, a back would make a goal line clear.

The relentlessness finally paid off as freshman Ashley Pfaff broke the scoring drought with a goal in the 69th minute. And when it rained, it poured. Twelve minutes later, senior co-captain Ainsley Close netted the equalizer on an assist from sophomore Carly Berger. With three minutes to play, senior Caitlin Fabian came out of the back to finish the go ahead and eventual game winning goal for the Panthers. They finished the contest out shooting the Camels 33-5.

The Panthers will look to finish atop the NESCAC table as they did last year but hope to avenge a loss in the tournament finals to Williams on penalty kicks. But it won't be easy.

"Every team looks good on paper," including Connecticut College who Coach Kim affirms is "the up and coming team in NESCAC." The club aims to use their chemistry and offensive firepower again on Saturday's match at Tufts.