The Middlebury women’s lacrosse team breezed by Hamilton at home on Wednesday April 15. The dominant 17-3 win is proof of the Panthers’ top form as they enter the final stretch of the regular season, with just two remaining matchups before the NESCAC tournament.
The Panthers got off to a slow start against their opponents on a muggy Wednesday afternoon at Peter Kohn Field. They conceded the opener in the third minute as a Hamilton attacker darted into the crease, firing the ball into the top left corner. Parker Hanson ’29 converted a free-position opportunity, passing to Maeve Lee ’28, who tucked it away to equalize. Middlebury would concede again, before Caroline Adams ’26 and Haley Hamilton ’26 capitalized on a Hamilton yellow card, putting the Panthers back in front while holding the numerical advantage.
The teams looked evenly matched through the first period, and Middlebury’s offense failed to convert three big chances in the opening minutes. The Hamilton bench roared as they took early leads over the nationally top-ranked team, but the Panthers were unfazed.
“We started a little slow today, and I think it was a good experience to have to find our rhythm when it wasn't coming naturally,” head coach Kate Livesay ’03 said of the slow start. “I felt like that composure and poise, and that execution — in those moments when things weren't going perfectly — was really nice.”
The second quarter saw the Panthers break away. The defense shut down threats before they could advance up the field, and the offense wore down the opponent, stringing together dizzying passes around the opponents’ fan.
Three minutes in, Sophia Lee ’28 opened her big offensive day with a courageous dash to the cage, dodging right and firing across the goal. She scored again a minute later from a free position. Adams added to her tally with two minutes remaining, and Libby Schiffman ’29 joined the party with less than ten seconds to play in the half. Haley Hamilton won the draw control and sprinted back into the attack, swinging the ball to Skylar Lach ’26, who put it away for an 8-2 lead heading into the half.
The clouds broke cover before the start of the third, and what looked like a close contest in the first had cracked wide open. The Panthers ran up the score, finding the back of the net less than a minute into the half. Hanson cut towards the cage, caught the ball, and fired home for a 9-2 lead. Hamilton scored their third and final goal of the day a minute later.
Middlebury would need some time to respond. Off the draw control, a chance instantly opened up for Lach, but her bouncing shot up the middle was deflected away. Another chance, minutes later, was turned away.
With eight minutes to play in the period, Middlebury uncorked a scoring run. Maeve Lee scored again, then Lucy Bishop ’27 won the draw control. The Panthers worked the clock, moving the ball around the field. If no chance materialized, they recycled it. With under six to go in the period, Larch recovered a ground ball and swung it to Sophia Lee, who passed it to a darting Hanson for a cracking high-to-low shot.
A minute later, Sophia Lee scooped up a high pass over the net and fired from the right flank to make it 12-3. A solo goal from Maeve Lee and a free position score by Sophia Lee gave the Panthers a 14-3 lead at the end of the third. First year Goalie Annie Spring ’29 came on to start the fourth. Goals from Britt Nawrocki ’26, Sofia Collins ’29 and Sophia Lee closed out the victory.
Nine different players scored for the Panthers on Wednesday. Sophia Lee scored a career-high five goals, and Bishop tallied her 200th successful career draw control. The win was Middlebury’s tenth this season by a margin of 10 points or greater.
“We really believe that in whichever combination of seven that steps onto the field to play attack, every one of us is a threat,” Adams said. “I think that mentality and trust in each other is what empowers anyone on a given day to make special plays — I could list all of the scorers, but the point is that this team is full of threats and we all have so much belief and faith in each other.”
The win will add to the Panthers' preparation and growing confidence as they approach the postseason. “This time of year is about trying to elevate our game,” Livesay said. “At the beginning of the season, you’re testing things, you're seeing what works, what doesn't, who do we need to give opportunities to. Right now, it's about making sure we have depth where we need it.”
“There is so much to be excited for heading into the postseason,” Adams said when asked about the team’s current form and confidence. “We have worked so hard with this group of girls since September, and we just have so much fun together that we want it to last for as long as possible.”
Thie Harthono '28 (he/him) is a Sports Editor.
Thie is majoring in Political Science. On campus, he serves as a Peer Writing Tutor. He spent the summer as a Press Intern at the United States Senate.
