Women’s Lax: Panthers Earn Third Win of the Week

Posted on , updated on by George Commo

Courtesy Middlebury Sports Information

MIDDLEBURY — A three-goal burst in the second half propelled fifth-ranked Middlebury (7-1, 4-1) to an 11-9 NESCAC win over #13 Amherst (6-2, 2-2) on Kohn Field. The win wraps up a week where the Panthers defeated #4 Salisbury and #8 York before Saturday’s victory. Middlebury returns to action on Thursday when it hosts MIT at 5:00 p.m.

With the game tied at 1-1, the hosts scored twice in 53 seconds for a 3-1 lead. Emma McDonagh earned the first goal on a quick feed from Grace Getman on a free-position setup, while Emily Barnard found a cutting Jenna McNicholas for the second tally. The teams exchanged the next six goals, as the Panthers held a 6-4 lead at the intermission.

Amherst opened the second-half scoring with a long drive down the middle by Isabella Sennett, making it a 6-5 game 1:36 in. Barnard backed her way toward the goal and scored to put her team up 7-5, before Becky Kendall converted a quick-stick goal on a dish from Hannah Fox for the visitors.

Leading 7-6, Middlebury went on a three goal run to extend its lead to 10-6. McNicholas scored the first two goals, both while she was cutting to the net. Barnard closed the run when she caught a high pass from McDonagh and scored with a low show at the 15:22 mark.

Amherst answered 1:13 later with a free-position goal by Fox at the top of the arc, making it a 10-7 game. McDonagh gave her team a three-goal lead with 12:04 left to play, beating a defender on a free-position shot before finding the back of the net.

The Mammoths scored at 9:11 and 8:15 to cut the lead to 11-9, but could get no closer. Their best attempt came with 4:13 remaining when Maia Noyes circled the net and put a solid shot on goal, but Panther goalkeeper Julia Keith made the save.

McDonagh finished with four goals and an assist, while Barnard and McNicholas each scored three times. Alex White picked up four ground balls and caused two turnovers, while Erin Nicholas won three draw controls. Keith finished with seven saves in goal.

Sennett, Kendall and Fox each scored twice for Amherst, while Claire Dunbar had a goal and three assists. Noyes finished with five draw controls, while Kate Burns caused three turnovers. Talia Land ended the day with six saves in the Amherst net.