Field hockey rebounds from Tufts loss

The Middlebury field hockey team was given no time to ease into their season this fall, as they opened NESCAC play with a tough away game against one of the powerhouses of the league, the Tufts Jumbos. Tufts, who won the NESCAC championship last year, came out strong and defeated the Panthers 3-0 in the season opener, shutting out Middlebury’s extremely prolific offense consisting of goal-scoring machines Lauren Greer ’13 and Chase Delano ’11.

After a tough loss to conference rivals Tufts the previous day, Middlebury’s field hockey team responded Sunday with a non-conference victory against the previously undefeated Babson Beavers, their first of the season, in a game that wouldn’t be decided until the final seconds of play.

The visiting Panthers (1-1) took a dominant 5-2 lead in the first half due in large part to three consecutive goals in the half’s final 14 minutes. Lauren Greer ’13 continued her offensive dominance from the previous season, in which she was the team’s leading scorer, and assisted three Panther goals while also scoring one of her own in the period.

Despite the lead, however, Middlebury could not rest on its laurels, as the Beavers (2-1) put together an impressive second-half comeback. Led by co-captain Colleen Kelly’11, who would finish the game with three goals and two assists, Babson rallied to within a goal of the Panthers after two consecutive Kelly scores.

With only eight and a half minutes left in the game, Middlebury picked up an insurance goal from captain Sally Ryan ’11, her second of the match. The goal would prove to be a crucial one as Babson scored off of a rebound with less than  a minute left on the clock. While Babson would again enter their offensive zone with seconds remaining in the game, tough, urgent defense on the part of the Panthers kept the Beavers from attempting a shot, allowing Middlebury to hold on for the thrilling 6-5 win.

“After Saturday’s game, we were hungry for some goals and a win,” said Ryan. “We re-strategized our defense and midfield play which created more successful connections on the field. We were able to put together a complete performance and have fun.”

Goal-scorers for Middlebury included Elinore O’Brien ’14, Hannah Clarke ’12 and Clara St. Germain ’13 as well as Greer and Ryan, a testament to the depth of the offense. Goalie time was split between Madeleine Brooks ’13 and Becca Shaw ’12, with Shaw accounting for all four of Middlebury’s saves. The Panthers have a huge NESCAC match-up coming this weekend in their home opener, when they take on the Trinity Bantams on Saturday at 2 p.m.