Panthers trounce Vermont foes in 8-2 goalfest Ashley Pfaff '09 continues scoring rampage, ties school record with four to go

Author: James Kerrigan

Coming off a hat trick against Bowdoin on Sunday, Oct. 2, Middlebury first-year Ashley Pfaff scored four goals on the way to an 8-2 win over Vermont neighbor, Castleton.

If opponents thought Pfaff was only a threat on Sunday, the speedy striker gave teams a little more to think about with a mid-week scoring outburst. She is a threat from anywhere on the field, any day of the week.

Castleton's defense was spotty as numerous holes opened up for Middlebury's attack. The Panthers outshot their opponent 39-3. Pfaff opened up the scoring 18 minutes in on a goal assisted by Kim Walker '07 and Ainsley Close '06. With this connection, Close notched her team-leading fourth assist of the season.

An unprecedented four more goals in 16 minutes gave the women a comfortable lead going into halftime. Caitlin Parker '08 contributed a goal and an assist, while Erin Pittenger '07 netted two goals of her own. Castleton did strike back in the waning minutes of the first half with a goal by Amy Yandow.

Middlebury did not let up as junior Caity Abshere scored her first goal of the season in the 69th minute. Castleton's Tracy Stala came back to score a goal of her own the 76th minute.

After a three goals in the first half, Pfaff scored two more in the final two minutes to give Middlebury an 8-2 victory and improved their overall record to 4-2-2.

Only the rain could slow down the Middlebury attack over the weekend as the Panther's scheduled battle with NESCAC rival Amherst was postponed. Middlebury is in action twice this week on Dragone Field as they look to keep up their winning ways against Plymouth State on Tuesday and Williams on Saturday for Homecoming.