The Middlebury Campus

Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Ryan Scura Zoe Victor '09 and the women's soccer team were involved in two shutouts last week on Dragone Field. Unfortunately, the most recent was a 4-0 loss to an undefeated Williams squad. [Click to enlarge]

As the fall foliage descended on New England, the women's soccer team played in a series of matches including face-offs against the best of the NESCAC. Matches at Amherst and against Plymouth State preceded a beautiful Fall Family Weekend that saw the Panthers take on Williams.

Fall forgot to flourish for the match at Amherst, and the lasting warmth of summer played a crucial role in the game. The Panthers came away from the Oct. 6 bout with a scoreless draw after 110 minutes of exhausting soccer. Coach Peter Kim said the team played well, but the heat played a role in the end.

"It was a very hard-fought match," said Kim, "but Amherst had the upper hand for much of the first half. Adele [Plunkett '09] really kept us in the match as the team got their feet under them, and the girls played much more confidently as the match wore on. The weather was a major factor in the match. Several players went down with heat-related injuries, and lots of mistakes were made due to fatigue."

The Panthers traveled to Amherst for the first time since defeating the Lord Jeffs on their home turf a year ago to win the NESCAC title. Co-captain Elise Tarbi '08 said the match really brought the young team together.

"I think the Amherst match was a turning point in the season for us, because it was an event that the entire team was able to struggle through together," said Tarbi. "I feel like we came out on the other side a much more cohesive unit."

The Panthers followed up the contest in Amherst with a formidable showing against Plymouth State on Oct. 9.

On a beautiful Tuesday afternoon, the Panthers struck early and often with five goals in the first 37 minutes to cruise to a 5-0 victory. Goals from Carly Berger '08, Lindsay Walker '10, leading goal scorer Nora Tomlinson-Weintraub '10 and two from Ashley Pfaff '09 filled out the Panther score sheet.

Continued...

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