Field hockey falls helplessly

Author: Allison Ortega

Sometimes the ball just does not bounce your way. This was the case for the Middlebury field hockey team in its NCAA tournament match-up against William Smith on Saturday. The Panthers were the dominant team throughout the game, but when the final horn sounded they were one goal short on the scoreboard. William Smith edged Middlebury 2-1 and brought the Panthers' season to an end.

In the game's opening minutes, it seemed as though the Panthers were going to roll past the Herons and square off against Bowdoin in the NCAA regional final. From the start, Middlebury used crisp passing and accurate transitions to control the game. Within the first seven minutes, the Panthers had earned six consecutive penalty corners. They were, however, unable to use them to their advantage and did not score.

Half-way through the opening period in one of Wiliam Smith's first trips into Panther territory, the Herons beat goalkeeper Meg McGillen '07 off of a rebound. Although Middlebury had 15 corners and 10 shots in the first half, they were down at the break.

During the second half, Middlebury continued to control the game, but could not convert any of their scoring chances. With 20 minutes remaining, the Herons doubled their lead with a deflection past McGillen.

With the two-goal deficit, the Panthers responded as Reid Berrien '08 took a pass at midfield, beat her defender and then ripped a shot past Heron goalie Katie DeKracker on her breakaway. But the effort proved to be too little, too late. The Herrons clung to their lead for the remainder of the game with a tight defense that crowded around the net. Despite numerous scoring opportunities in the game's final minutes, the Panthers were unable to get the equalizer.

The loss brought a close to the careers of Middlebury's six seniors: Dana Rye, Michelle Archambault, Emily Read, Liza Humes, Blair Hewes and McGillen. Over the past four seasons they have helped make Middlebury field hockey into a perennial national powerhouse. During this span the team made four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and compiled an overall record of 65 wins and nine losses.

"For the past four years, the other seniors and I have been a part of a great field hockey tradition," Reid said. "I'm sure they would all agree with me that even though we didn't win a national championship this year, this season was definitely the most exciting and rewarding."