Trip to Williams Leaves Panther Pucksters Tied Up

Author: Kate Nerenberg

In the waning weeks of its season, the Middlebury women's hockey team secured its second-place New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) standing, battling Williams to a 1-1 tie and defeating Utica, 7-1.
Against NESCAC rival Williams, Middlebury looked to exploit a new system that would emphasize their offensive output while simultaneously maintaining a strong defensive force. The Panthers out-shot their opponents, 29-17, therefore maximizing their forwards but still holding strong defensively. Despite the shot advantage, however, the Panthers could not find a way to break open the score.
After two scoreless periods, the Ephs finally found an opening in the first 30 seconds of the final interval, going up 1-0 and looking like they could avenge a 1-0 loss to the Panthers from Jan. 14. However, first-year spark plug Emily Quizon took a pass from fellow first-year Hannah DeLong just four minutes later and fired the puck past the Eph goaltender, tying the score at one. This would remain the final score, as neither team could break the other's defense through the rest of the third period and into overtime. Kate Kogut '06 registered 16 saves for the game.
"We played extremely hard. We had a number of chances to put the puck in the net, but it just didn't bounce that way for us. But, I was very pleased with our team's effort," praised Head Coach Bill Mandigo.
After the men's hockey team posted two home wins, the women finally had their chance to take to the home ice. Utica, in its second year as a team, did not provide nearly the same challenge that Williams did. Although the Panthers skated to a commanding 7-1 win, they started out slow. Molly Turco '04 broke a scoreless game very late in the first period with the first Middlebury goal at 17:59.
It was not until the second period that the Panthers began to shine, scorching Utica with overwhelming offensive pressure. Jackie Cohen '05 assisted Captain Angela Kapus's '03 first goal at 8:34 into the second period. Not even three minutes later, Kapus used her momentum and helped the Panthers take advantage of a power play opportunity to put Middlebury up 3-0 at the 11:20 mark. The Panthers' relentless offensive could only wait another three minutes before using another power play to go up 4-0. This time, however, Kapus assisted on a Quizon goal. Before the period ended, Utica was able to sneak one goal by goaltender Kati Madouros '04.
The Panthers continued to dominate into the last period, converting on another power play and sealing the win with two other goals, including one in a short-handed situation by Erin Neil '03. Middlebury's new system paid off, as it out shot Utica, 46-7. Mandigo was very pleased with his team's enthusiastic attitude and the way it took advantage of the power play opportunities.
In their last two regular season games, the Panthers will travel to Maine this weekend to take on Bowdoin and Colby. These games are crucial in deciding the Panthers' post-season fate. There is a lot at stake going into Friday night's game against Bowdoin, who is undefeated and ranked first in NESCAC standings and second nationally. The winner of Friday's game will most likely host the NESCAC tournament and win the regular season crown. On Jan. 18, when the Polar Bears came to Middlebury, the teams battled to a 1-1 tie.
"Bowdoin is a very good team. I know they will be ready to play. We are looking at Friday night's game as a playoff game. They will pack their rink, so it will be an exciting venue and a great game. If we want to win, we have to put the puck in the net. We have our work cut out for us. It's the next thing in front of us and we are taking one game at a time," commented Mandigo.
Although Mandigo maintains that the Panthers are not looking past Bowdoin, they know they will face another formidable opponent in Colby, who is ranked fifth in NESCAC standings. Earlier in the season, Middlebury handled the White Mules easily, defeating them at home, 9-1. However, the Panthers have to be ready to face anything as the NESCAC race tightens and they prepare for the postseason.