After starting the season strong with a decisive 3-0 win over Castleton State College, the Middlebury Women’s soccer team faced mixed results in their three games this week against Amherst, Keene State and Connecticut College,
Coming off the Castleton win, the Panther women hosted conference rival Amherst on Dragone field. The Panthers came out firing in the game, outshooting the Lord Jeffs by a total of 18-6, although they were unable to finish any of the attempts. This was in part due to stellar play by Lord Jeff goalie Holly Burwick, who saved all nine of the Middlebury shots on goal to earn the shutout. Amherst’s goal came in the 70th minute after miscommunication among the Middlebury defense resulted in an own-goal. Middlebury goalie Kate Reinmuth ‘17 finished with one save on two Amherst shots on goal.
Following the Amherst loss, Middlebury faced out of conference Keene State College at home. Keene State was first to strike in the match after Shannon Summers finished a ball to the far left post off of a pass from Rebecca Costello in the 41st minute of the game. Despite this, Middlebury did not relent and continued to pepper the Keene State goalie. Jamie Soroka ‘16 finished her first of two that day, two minutes into the second half off of a pass from Day Robins ‘17 to tie the game. She later connected off of a pass from Katherine Hobbs ‘17 at the 83rd minute mark to take the lead. The Panthers would finish the day by outshooting Keene State by a total of 23-6.
Reinmuth earned the win for Middlebury, finishing with two saves off of three shots on goal, while Keene State’s Victoria Crenson finished with eight saves off of 10 shots on goal. Soroka would finish the day with seven shots, five of which were on goal.
Following the win against Keene State on Wednesday, the Panthers faced NESCAC powerhouse Connecticut College in their first away game. Middlebury went down early in the game after Conn. College’s Astrid Kempainen finished a penalty kick 20 minutes into the game.
The Panthers continued to fight back throughout the game with a number of good attempts at the goal, but none were successful. Conn. College continued to pressure Middlebury throughout the game with Grace Bilodeau finishing a shot from 35 yards out, and Kempanien adding another goal in the 78th minute mark.
Middlebury goalkeeper Reinmuth finished by saving eight out of the 11 shots on goal, while Conn. College’s Bryanna Montalvo earned the win for the Camels with a tough 11-save shutout performance.
The Panthers took the lopsided loss despite having as many shots on goal as their opponent.
After last week’s mixed results, senior Carter Talgo ’15 spoke of significant rom for improvement for the team going forward.
“Whether its individual technical mistakes, tactical awareness, or capitalizing on goal scoring opportunities, we have a big week to prove we can achieve the goals we set for ourselves back in August,” Talgo said.
Back in action for a midweek out-of-conference matchup with regional rival Plattsburgh, the Panthers were able to get back on the winning track.
A goal from Adriana Gildner ’17 near the 80-minute mark was all that Middlebury needed to edge the Cardinals, as they were able to hold on for a tight 1-0 victory.
Reinmuth recorded a trio of saves in goal for Middlebury against Plattsburgh for her second shutout of the young season.
The loss to Middlebury also halted a four-game winning streak for Plattsburgh.
Standing at 3-2 overall and a surprising 0-2 in conference play, the Panthers face another tough NESCAC opponent this weekend in Bowdoin.
Coming off a pair of considerable conference wins over Wesleyan and Amherst, the undefeated Polar Bears will provide a stiff test for a Panther squad that needs a statement win to turn their season around in hopes of launching another postseason run in 2014.
