Women stay hot, now 6-4-2

Author: Lise Rosenberger

The Middlebury women's soccer team moved ahead with an overall record of 6-4-2 after shutting out Bates 2-0 this past Saturday on the Panthers' home turf. The game remained scoreless until thirteen minutes from the end, as neither team could pull ahead to mark the scoreboard. The Panthers dominated with twenty-three shots to Bates' five, proving that a relentless offense will ultimately pay off.

"As a team, Bates fought hard, but we controlled the majority of the game," tri-captain Caitlin Parker '08.5 said. "The goals came late, but it was great that we got them because there is nothing worse than outplaying a team and then tying, or even worse, losing." This win marks the Panthers' fourth in the past five games, giving them momentum as they near postseason play.

Middlebury's Anne Ford '10 ended the shutout at 76:58 with a feed from Lindsay Walker '10. Her shot from 15 yards out finally put the Panthers ahead. Annie Rowell '11 scored the second goal of the game with only two minutes left off of a feed from Paola Cabonargi '10 with a particularly impressive header, sealing the victory for the Panthers.

Once again, goaltender Lauryn Torch '11 anchored the defense for the win, earning her fifth shutout of the season.

"Bates was a very scrappy, aggressive team, and it was a bit difficult to adjust to their play at first because although we were the more talented team, they played a less clean game," senior tri-captain Zoe Victor '09 said. However, the Panthers adjusted their play and developed a dominant edge during the match.

The triumph over Bates on Saturday marked the Panthers' second NESCAC win in the past two weekends, as they defeated Tufts 3-1 the previous weekend.

This was a big win for the Panthers, as Tufts threatened to be a formidable opponent; prior to their match against Middlebury, the Jumbos had allowed only three goals in their last seven games.

"It was an important win for us because it showed that we could score on a very competitive team in the NESCAC," Parker noted. "But most importantly, it showed that we know how to play with the kind of passion and heart that it takes to do well in the postseason."

Middlebury held a 1-0 advantage as the second half of play opened, and the score remained that way until an hour into the match when Parker capitalized on a feed from Ashley Pfaff '09 to increase the Panthers' lead.

Only seven minutes later, the Panthers scored again with Anjuli Demers' '10 assist to Margaret Owen '10.

Tufts avoided the shutout with ten minutes left in the match, as Jamie Love-Nichol's high shot slipped above the head of Torch.

According to senior tri-captain Tiffany Orlowski '09, the matchup against Tufts might have represented the high point of the Panthers' season.

"We came out strong and very aggressive from the first minute," she said. "We worked hard off the ball in order to get into supporting shape, and sent perfect passes to each other. I think we all felt that it was the best game we played all season."

Middlebury returns to action this Saturday, Oct. 25, when the team takes on Connecticut College.