sportsbriefs

Author: Jeb Burchenal

Women's soccer beats Amherst 1-0 in quarters

The women's soccer team was busy this past weekend, playing away games at both Trinity and Amherst.

Middlebury fell to Trinity in a muddy affair that showcased both teams' defenses. The Panthers managed eight shots and three corner kicks, but were unable to solve the stellar play of Trinity keeper Emily Weedon, while the Middlebury defense held Trinity to five shots with a single goal sneaking past first year goalie Lauryn Torch.

After the tough loss, the women traveled to Amherst for a must-win game. With their playoff lives on the line, the ladies strung together a brilliant overall performance that resulted in a 1-0 victory. The teams played a scoreless and even first half, but Middlebury began to pour it on offensively after the break. Caitlin Parker '09 provided the only scoring of the day with a beautiful strike to the far post from twenty yards out.

"We really started to click in the second half," said Valerie Christy '10. "Hopefully we can carry that into the next game at Williams."

With this victory the Panthers advance to the NESCAC semi-finals Saturday, Nov. 3 against Williams.


Ftorek '09 scores two, men advance to Semis

This past weekend the men's soccer team closed out the regular season at Trinity, capping off an already impressive campaign with a 1-0 victory. The match featured plenty of offensive pressure from both sides, forcing the keepers to play well for both teams. Middlebury's Brian Bush '09 recorded 12 stops, while the pair of Spencer Durland and Zac Trudeau combined to do the same for Trinity. Casey Ftorek '09 netted the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute.

After rounding out the regular season, the men hosted their first playoff game against Connecticut College on Sunday. The team found their rhythm on the field en route to a 3-0 shutout. Bush did not face much pressure in the match, having to record only two saves, while standout Ftorek had two goals and an assist. The weekend of stellar play earned Ftorek NESCAC Player of the Week honors.

The men look to continue their playoff run this weekend as they take on Williams Saturday, Nov. 3.


Field hockey sweeps home-and-home series

The field hockey team finished out the regular season on Oct. 27 at Trinity with a 5-1 victory over the Bantams. The Bantams showed some life, tying the game 1-1 at the half, but were thoroughly outplayed after the break. The Panthers showed their full offensive arsenal with goals from five different scorers on 19 shots. Middlebury keeper Caitlin Pentifallo '09 made eight saves in the game.

The women played Trinity on Sunday as well this weekend in their first round playoff game. The Panthers rolled to a 4-2 victory over the Bantams with Heather McCormack '10 and Reid Berrien '08 each scoring two goals apiece to anchor the Panther offense. Middlebury had a commanding 3-0 lead at the half and stretched it 4-0 before Trinity made a late surge with two goals. Pentifallo again came through in goal with three saves on five shots for the Panthers while Bantam goalie Payden Sra stopped four of the eight shots she faced.

The team plays Tufts this Saturday at Bowdoin in the NESCAC semi-finals at 1:30.