Middlebury rookie Ashley Pfaff notched a hat trick as the Panthers topped Bowdoin 3-2 in a key NESCAC contest on Dragone Field. The Polar Bears entered the game ranked second in New England.

Bowdoin took a 1-0 lead at 10:56 as Ann Zeigler took a nice crossing pass from Katherine Whitley before finishing with a close-range shot from the left side. Middlebury tied the game at 36:34 as Caity Abshere's shot deflected off the post and dribbled along the goal-line, where Pfaff won a footrace with the Bowdoin goalkeeper to tie the game at one. With 20:56 remaining, Pfaff gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead as she converted a centering pass from Erin Pittenger. Pfaff struck again just 6:27 later as her third shot found the back of the net after a pair of saves from Anna Shapell. Bowdoin cut the lead to 3-2 on Ziegler's second of the game with 8:06 remaining, but that's as close as they'd get.

Adele Plunkett made seven saves in goal to earn the win, while Shapell made nine saves on the afternoon.

Date: October 2, 2005

Time: 12:00 p.m.

Site: Middlebury, Vt.

TEAM  1  2  OT  OT  F

Bowdoin (6-2)  1  1  -  -  2

Middlebury (3-2-2)  1  2  -  -  3

SCORING SUMMARY

B-1st (10:56) - Ann Zeigler (Katherine Whitley)

M-1st (36:34) - Ashley Pfaff (Caity Abshere)

M-2nd (69:04) - Pfaff (Erin Pittenger)

M-2nd (75:31) - Pfaff

B-2nd (81:54) - Ziegler

GOALKEEPING SUMMARY

Adele Plunkett-M (90 min., 7 saves, 2 GA)

Anna Shapell-B (90 min., 9 saves, 3 GA)