Middlebury won its home opener on Kohn Field as they held off Babson for an 11-8 win. The Panthers led 8-2 at the half and then saw the Beavers make a run, cutting the lead to a pair late in the game. Middlebury returns to action on Tuesday when they host Wesleyan.

Trailing 1-0, Middlebury ran off five straight first half goals to take a 5-1 lead with 10:27 remaining. Sally Ryan and Elizabeth Garry each scored twice during the run, while Ryan assisted on a goal. Babson answered with a goal from Anna Collins, before the Panthers closed the first half with three free position goals in :59 seconds to take an 8-2 lead into the intermission. Ryan scored her third of the game to begin the spurt, while Dana Heritage netted the next two.

Babson opened the second half with three straight goals, including the third of the game from Anna Collins to make it an 8-5 game with 19:27 remaining. Heritage ended the run for the Panthers, before the Beavers cut the lead to 9-6 on a tally from Jackie Godfrey at the 13:44 mark. Middlebury answered before Lindsay Bucci and Trisha Babson cut the lead to 10-8 with 5:58 left to play.

Babson had a chance to make it a one-goal game with 3:25 left, but a free position shot was denied by Blair Bowie. The Panthers gained some breathing room on a goal from Taylor Brown with 2:04 left to play, making it an 11-8 final.

Ryan and Heritage each scored three goals in the win, while Garry added a pair. Collins netted three to pace the Beavers. Bowie made seven saves in goal to earn the win, while Sarah Macary made 11 stops for Babson.