It was a tale of two halves as Middlebury led 13-2 at the intermission and held on for a 15-13 win over Trinity. The Panthers entered the game ranked second in the latest national poll, while the Bantams were in the seventh spot. The game marked the return of Middlebury native and former Panther field hockey and lacrosse player Kate Perine, who is now the head coach at Trinity.
Middlebury came out firing, scoring seven of the first eight goals to hold a 7-1 lead just 8:35 into the game. Dana Heritage and Reid Berrien each scored twice during the early run, while Liza Humes assisted on three of the goals.
Sarah Remes broke up the Middlebury run at the 20:40 mark, only to have the Panthers close the half on a 6-0 run to hold a 13-2 lead at halftime. Amanda Smith and Kim Walker each scored twice during the impressive spurt.
The teams exchanged goals early in the second half before the Bantams went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to 14-11 with 6:00 remaining. C.J. Yanofsky scored three times, while Alison Holmes scored twice as the Bantams crept back into the game. Amanda Smith ended Middlebury's scoring draught with 4:51 remaining, only to have Yanofsky score twice more to make it a 15-13 game with 1:35 remaining. The Bantams gained possession of the ball with just under a minute remaining, but an interception by Reid Berrien gave the Panthers the ball as they held on for the win.
Smith led Middlebury with two goals, while Walker, Heritage, Berrien and Kate Barton scored two apiece. Humes ended the day with four assists. Yanofsky scored a game-high five with two assists for Trinity, followed by Lauren Malinowski with three and Holmes with two.
Blaire Bowie made nine saves in 43 minutes, while Whitney Wildrick made four saves in 17 minutes of work for Middlebury. Michelle Smith made a dozen stops in goal for Trinity.
SCORE BY PERIOD 1 2 Tot
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Trinity............. 2 11 - 13
Middlebury.......... 13 2 - 15
Trinity SCORING: GOALS: CJ Yanofsky 5; Lauren Malinowski 3; Alison Holmes 2; Jenn Calver 1; Sarah Remes 1; Lauren Peck 1. ASSISTS: CJ Yanofsky 2; Carrie Disa 1; Kristina Scontras 1.
Middlebury SCORING: GOALS: Amanda Smith 3; Kim Walker 2; Dana Heritage 2; Reid Berrien 2; Kate Barton 2; Liza Humes 1; Claire Edelen 1; Katherine Entwisle 1; Caroline Kirkendoll 1. ASSISTS: Liza Humes 4; Claire Edelen 1; Dana Heritage 1; Mimi Schatz 1; Amanda Smith 1; Kim Walker 1.
GOALIES - TRI: Michelle Smith (60:00 minutes, 27 shots-12 saves, 15 GA); MIDWLX: Blair Bowie (43:28, 15-9, 6) , Whitney Wildrick (16:32, 11-4, 7).
