Women's lacrosse jumps out to 2-0 start with home win

Author: Julia Ireland

The Middlebury women's lacrosse team came away with a win against the Babson Beavers on Friday in Middlebury's first home game of the season. Playing on Kohn Field added extra incentive for the Panthers to come away with a win. The team's 88-game home winning streak ended just last season with a loss to Colby in the NESCAC semifinals.

"Walking out on the turf for our first home game every season is the best," said defender Carrie Sparkes '10. It's also exciting to hear the new warm up mix for the year! And it wasn't snowing or raining this year, which is also a plus."

The Panthers jumped out strong from the opening whistle. Although Babson struck first, Middlebury answered with five quick goals to take a 5-1 lead. Attackers Sally Ryan '11 and Elizabeth Garry '12 added two goals apiece in Middlebury's scoring streak, while Chase Delano '11 netted one.

Babson would manage one more goal before the end of the half, but the Panthers cemented their lead by converting three free position shots in the span of one minute. Ryan scored her third of the game with a free position shot and Dana Heritage '10 added the next two.

"Dana's free position goal in the second half to go up by four goals kept our momentum going," Sparkes said. "However, Babson played very aggressively and certainly wasn't going to give up even though they were down by six goals at half time."

The Beavers came out for the second half with a vengeance. They opened the scoring with three consecutive goals to close Middlebury's lead to 8-5. Babson junior Anna Collins scored her third goal of the game in the streak.

Middlebury and Babson would go back and forth with goals until the score was 10-8. Heritage also added her third goal of the game to keep Middlebury in the lead.

With 3:25 left in the game, Babson had the chance to bring Middlebury's lead within one goal with a free position shot. However, senior goalie and tri-captain Blair Bowie '09 came through for the Panthers in net, denying the free position shot by the Beavers.

"Blair had a few really key saves in the second half to keep our lead at three goals," Sparkes said of Bowie's effort. Bowie made seven saves in goal to earn the win for the Panthers.

Bowie anchored the Middlebury defense along with senior tri-captain Taryn Petrelli '09. Middlebury's new defensive system proved effective against some tougher competition. Though Babson was able to break through for some goals against the Panthers, the defensive squad was able to keep them at bay and maintain the lead with the help of the midfielders and attackers.

"The backer 'D' was effective against Babson today," Sparkes added of the collective defensive effort. "However, we still need to work to close double teams, and stay stick to stick on cutters. The high pressure really seems to throw off the attackers and force them to make mistakes, which is exactly the result that we want."

Taylor Brown '11 gave Middlebury an insurance goal with two minutes to go in the game, making the final score 11 - 8. Although the game got closer in the second half, Middlebury ensured that they came away with the win.

Middlebury will next play when they host Wesleyan on March 17 at 4 p.m.