Rye proves to be bread and butter

Author: Allison Ortega

The 10-1 Middlebury field hockey team returned home to Kohn Field last Saturday for a NESCAC match-up against Bates. After two impressive road victories over Williams and Ursinus the previous weekend, the Panthers showed no signs of a letdown, and the team continued its exceptional play to handily defeat the Bobcats and improve its overall record to 11-1.

Right from the opening whistle, the Panthers performed solidly and displayed skillful transitions and accurate passing. The particularly impressive Dana Rye '07 had a career-high game as she scored all three of the Panthers' goals for the hat-trick. Rye started her scoring spree just thirteen minutes into the game, when she took a nice feed from Reid Berrien '08 and beat Bobcats goalkeeper Sarah Sprauge for the 1-0 lead. With time winding down in the first-half, Rye ripped a shot from the corner for her second tally of the game and the two goal advantage. Late in the second half Rye completed her hat-trick with a breakaway goal. Marnie Rowe '08.5 picked up the assist.

"After we scored the two first-half goals, Bates stepped it up and we went scoreless for a long time," said Rye. "The third goal happened in the last four minutes of the game. It was a textbook breakaway with three players on the goalkeeper, and it allowed us to end the game on a high note."

Rye now leads the Panthers with nine goals on the season, following her three-goal effort. Middlebury's defensive stalwart, Meg McGillen '07 made six saves in goal to earn her sixth shut-out of the season.

The Panthers' victory over Bates showcased the team's confidence and momentum, coming off of back-to-back victories over nationally-ranked opponents. On Oct. 14, the Panthers traveled to Williamstown, Mass. and defeated the previously unbeaten Ephs in a resounding 2-0 victory. Lacey Farrell '08 led the offense with a goal and an assist, while goalkeeper McGillen, last week's NESCAC Player of the Week, made 11 saves for the shut-out.

The following day, the Panthers traveled to the neutral site of Saratoga, N.Y. to play fifth-ranked Ursinus. The Bears scored first, but in the second half the Panthers responded with back-to-back goals from Rye and Berrien to seize the lead. The advantage was short-lived as Ursinus tied the game just minutes later and the teams headed to overtime.

During the extra period Middlebury had several quality opportunities turned away, before they were awarded a penalty stroke. Coach Katherine DeLorenzo called upon defender and co-captain Michelle Archambault '07 to attempt the game-winner. Archambault first faked to the top right and then sent the ball to the lower-left corner to convert the penalty stroke. "I felt confident and was focused on the ball. The stroke was the result of a great team effort," Archambault said.

The Panthers will conclude their regular season on Saturday, when they host Trinity. Currently, Middlebury is tied with Bowdoinfor first place in the NESCAC.