Fast Start For Field Hockey

Author: Tom McCann

The Middlebury women's field hockey team took to the road once again last weekend in a bid to defeat Wesleyan and maintain its perfect start to the season. Middlebury had to come to terms with Wesleyan's home playing surface. The synthetic all-weather surface to which Middlebury is more accustomed was far removed from the natural grass that greeted the women in Wesleyan. Middlebury practiced on grass during the week in preparation for the game at Wesleyan, but the game itself was entirely different and it was a tough adjustment for the Panthers.

Perhaps thrown off a little by the change in surface, Middlebury did not fly out of the blocks and allowed Wesleyan to take the lead in the first half. The goal ended a slightly lackluster start by Middlebury and jumpstarted the Panthers into action. Before long Middlebury had cancelled out the early goal as Claire Edelen '07 netted her first goal in Middlebury colors. With the teams all square at halftime, it was up to the team who wanted it more to come out in the second half and win it. Middlebury showed that desire and bombarded the Wesleyan goal with shots throughout the half. It didn't take too long for the pressure to tell, with Ashley Lyddane '06 providing the goal that would take Middlebury to its first lead of the game.

While Middlebury looked capable of scoring a third at any time, Wesleyan was a constant threat throughout and could have easily snatched an equalizer. The wet grass and muggy conditions made it tough for both teams to play a free flowing game but Middlebury was not to be denied and were unlucky to have a third goal denied. From a penalty corner, Becca Brakeley '04 fired a shot that struck the foot of a Wesleyan defender, resulting in a stroke for Middlebury. The penalty didn't yield a third goal leaving Middlebury and goaltender Anna Spiegel '06 to successfully defend a one-goal lead for the remainder of the game.

The win takes Middlebury to a perfect 4-0 start to the season and especially pleasing has been the form of the Panthers on the road. Away games for Middlebury were their Achilles Heel last year but the women have already won more games on the road this year than they did in the whole of last year. Goalkeeper Spiegel commented, "The concept of travelling away makes it hard, so we're concious of working even harder on the field when we play away from home." The Panthers return home this weekend to host Colby and Bowdoin, two undefeated teams that will provide a stern test for the Panthers.

However, in this sort of form, with the ability to scythe through teams while being able to grind out less spectacular victories, it will take a special team to upset Middlebury, especially at home.

Whether or not the Panthers will remain undefeated throughout the season is up for debate, although Spiegel certainly believes it's possible.

"Although we're still improving, we have experience on the field and with our skill and athletic ability it's possible for us to go undefeated this sesaon," she said.

The Panthers are currently ranked 6th in Division III schools nationally and will look to protect and improve on this position with each game, hopefully culminating in a concerted run at the national championship at the end of the season.