Middlebury advanced to the NESCAC semifinal round for the 11th straight year after a 6-2 win over Williams in Kenyon Arena. The Panthers will host next weekend's semifinals and championship game on Saturday/Sunday, March 5th and 6th. Middlebury improves to 19-4-1 with the win, while Williams finishes their season at 4-17-1.
It didn't take Middlebury long to get on the board, with Madeline Joyce scoring her fourth of the year just 1:40 into the game. Maggie Woodward made a nice pass from behind the net to Joyce in the slot, who quickly one-timed a shot for the goal.
The Panthers made it a 2-0 game at 6:43 with a power play goal. Sara Ugalde made a pass across the zone to Jennifer Krakower, who scored on a quick wrister for her third of the season. Williams got on the board at 14:16 when Nicolle Perry scored on a backhander in the slot, beating a screened Alexi Bloom for her seventh of the season.
Middlebury regained its two-goal lead at the 4:24 mark of the second period with a power play tally. Heather Marrison's shot from the outside was saved by Rachel Nguyen, with Grace Waters putting home the rebound for her ninth of the year.
Sam Weinstein and Perry hooked up again for Williams later in the period, with Perry netting a short handed goal. The goal tied her for the team-lead with her eighth of the season, as she quickly redirected the crossing pass from Weinstein.
Middlebury opened the game up in the third period, scoring three unanswered goals. Sara Ugalde scored on a one-timer for her 11th of the year at the 2:03 mark to make it a 4-2 game. Madison Styrbicki struck for her fourth of the season at 7:47 with a blast from the point on the power play. Lauren Greer scored her 11th of the season on a rebound at the 15:35 mark, with Styrbicki earning the assist on the power play goal.
Bloom finished with 17 saves to earn the win, while Nguyen made 26 stops for the Ephs.
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