Middlebury remained unbeaten in its last six NESCAC games, as the Panthers (7-3-3) picked up a 2-0 win over Bates (6-6-1) on homecoming weekend. The Panthers wrap up their regular season next Friday at Williams, as they battle to secure home field for a NESCAC Tournament quarterfinal game.

Middlebury out shot Bates 14-2 in the first half, but could not find the back of the net. The Panthers kept the pressure coming in the second session, as Nora Tomlinson-Weintraub broke in on the right side and saw her shot skim the crossbar. Bates' Annie Burns kept it a scoreless game at 67:30, tipping an attempt over the net after Scarlett Kirk got off a quick shot.

Middlebury broke through just seconds later, when Drew Smith scored her first of the season at 67:54. After an initial shot by Maddy Boston was blocked by a defender, Smith grabbed the rebound in the box and finished for the 1-0 lead.

The Panthers extended their lead late in the game, when Scarlett Kirk netted her sixth of the year with 3:38 left to play. Katie Ruymann took a blast on a restart from 25 yards out that hit the crossbar, with Kirk there to gather the rebound and finish for the 2-0 win.

Lauryn Torch ended the game with three saves to earn her fourth shutout of the season, while Burns finished with four saves for Bates.

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