Last Gasp Goal Sinks Panthers

Author: Mike Kennedy

The Middlebury women's soccer team opened its season on Saturday Sept. 13 with a disappointing 1-0 loss to Trinity in Hartford. The Bantams scored the game winner with only eight seconds remaining in the game, spoiling a great performance by Panther goaltender Els Van Woert '06 in the net and an overall great team effort.

"The game could have gone either way, and unfortunately it went in their favor," said senior co-captain Amanda Green. "We just need to take what we can out of it, and focus on our upcoming games. The NESCAC has always been strong from top to bottom, so we are going to need to be ready every time we step on the field."

Despite coming up short in its opening game, the Middlebury women's soccer team has high expectations for the 2003 campaign. Having advanced to the postseason in eight out of the last 10 seasons, the Panthers hope to remain one of the strongest teams in the country. Despite significant losses to graduation, the Panthers are poised to make another run at the NESCAC title, which they last won in 2000. Head Coach Diane Boettcher, and new assistant Peter Kim will certainly have them ready for the always tough and unpredictable league schedule.

The Panthers are led by senior captains Green and Michaela Dietz, who both have seen considerable playing time in their previous three seasons.

"We definitely lost some great players, but that has only opened the door for others to step in and contribute," commented Green. "The competition and intensity level in practice is as high as I have ever seen it, and it will only make us better as the season goes on."

A very capable freshmen class will also help to make up for the losses of Meg Bonney '03, Leah Cumsky-Whitlock '03 and Britt Kittelsen '03, all of whom garnered long lists of honors during their careers.

Dietz has moved up to the forward position this season, where she will be counted on to generate scoring opportunities. She will be joined by junior Brittany Cronin, and first-year Erin Pittenger.

In the midfield, Green leads a talented group that includes junior Mayo Fujii and sophomore Siobhan Redmond, as well as Caity Abshere and Erin Oliver on the wings, two newcomers that have been impressive thus far. Senior Kelly Feeney and sophomore Caitlin Fabian anchor the Panther defense, which is backed by second-year starter Van Woert in the cage.

Bowdoin and Williams will prove to be the most pivotal rivals for the Panthers, who look to rebound this week with away games at Norwich and Wesleyan. Middlebury will host Colby and Bowdoin on the weekend of Sept. 27-28, before a dual with Williams on Oct. 11.