A goal in the 77th minute from Middlebury's Claire Nishioka proved to be the difference as Middlebury earned a 1-0 victory Saturday over Tufts on a rain-soaked Dragone Field. The Panthers (6-3, 2-3) return to action when they host St. Lawrence on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m., while the Jumbos (5-2-1, 2-2-1) entertain Endicott the same day.

Scoring chances were few and far between as the field was slippery. In the 28th minute, Middlebury's Hannah Robinson dribbled down the right side and sent a cross all the way to the left side of the field. Nishioka looked to get the Panthers on the board from five yards out, but Eileen McGarry made a diving save to her right to keep the match scoreless.

In the 69th minute, Tufts' Brooke Fortin collected a loose ball in front of the Panther goal, but in the wet conditions was unable to control it, as a potential scoring attempt ricocheted off her knee and fell harmlessly over the end line.

A little over five minutes later, Middlebury's Carter Talgo sent a through ball to the feet of Nishioka, but McGarry was again up for the challenge stoning Nishioka's would-be attempt with a sprawling save to her right from six yards out.

With just over 14 minutes left in regulation, Robinson gained possession of the ball on the offensive side of the midfield stripe. She worked down the right side, sent a pass to Day Robins, who in turn sent a cross that skidded all the way to Nishioka on the left side about 10 yards away. Nishioka gathered the ball and laced a shot into the lower right corner for the score at the 76:15 mark.

Neither team was able to muster any additional scoring opportunities, as the Panthers hung on for the key NESCAC win.

McGarry was credited with three saves for the Jumbos, while Middlebury's Emily Eslinger needed just one save for the shutout. She has yet to allow a goal in her first three career starts (3-0).

The Panthers owned a 15-3 edge in the shot category, while Tufts held a slight 6-5 advantage in corner kicks.