Box Score Middlebury scored four goals in a 13:55 span in the second half on its way to a 4-0 win over 12th-ranked Skidmore (8-2) on Kohn Field. The sixth-ranked Panthers improve to 7-1 on the season, while the Thoroughbreds see their winning streak stopped at seven. Middlebury returns to action on Saturday at Tufts.
Middlebury had a possession advantage in the first half, owning an 11-3 lead in shots. The Panthers had a great chance early on when Pam Schulman found herself open on the right side. Her hard shot at the left post went just wide as the game remained scoreless in the fourth minute.
Middlebury had a few other opportunities throughout the half, but were unable to capitalize. Skidmore had a few shots late, including a good look for Pauline Searles in the 28th minute that went wide.
The Panthers took a 1-0 lead at the 51:09 mark when Bridget Instrum scored with a reverse stick flip shot after a feed from the outside by Lauren Berestecky. Skidmore nearly tied the game minutes later, but Dani DeGregory was denied when Panther keeper Emily Knapp came out to stuff her shot attempt.
Catherine Fowler gave her team a 2-0 lead, netting her team-leading 10th of the season at the 54:13 mark on a shot from the outside that deflected high into the cage off a defender.
The Panthers added two more goals in the game, both the first of their careers for a pair of Panther defenders. Meredith Rowe found the back of the cage 2:34 after Fowler, tipped in a pass from the outside by Alex Kuzma. Deidre Miller scored at the 65:04 mark, sweeping in a shot after a pass from Fowler was tipped by Hannah Deoul.
Middlebury held a 21-10 shots advantage in the game, leading 8-2 in penalty corners. Knapp finished the game with five saves to improve to 5-0 on the year, while Haley McDougall made seven stops for the Thoroughbreds.
