The Middlebury women's soccer team has advanced to the NESCAC semifinals for the 11th time in 15 years after a 1-0 road win at Amherst (11-5) on Saturday. The fifth-seeded Panthers (10-6) will visit top-seeded Williams for an 11:00 a.m. semifinal kick-off on Saturday, November 8th. Second-seeded Bowdoin takes on third-seeded Conn. College in the other contest at 1:30 p.m. The winners meet for the NESCAC Championship on Sunday at noon.

Amherst controlled the run of play for much of the first half as the Jeffs outshot Middlebury 7-3 in the first 45 minutes but could not find the break-through goal.

In the 39th minute of action, the Panthers were awarded their only corner kick of the contest and delivered with Katherine Hobbs' first collegiate goal. Claire Nishioka lifted the corner to Hobbs, who slotted the ball into the net to give Middlebury a 1-0 lead.

The Jeffs continued to apply pressure on the Panthers' defensive third, registering nine shots to Middlebury's two in the second half, but could not find the net, as eight of those shots went off target. Emily Eslinger made one save in goal to preserve the victory and earned her fifth shutout of the year. Holly Burwick made two saves for Amherst.

Amherst held a 16-5 shots advantage in the contest, and the Lord Jeffs had seven corner kicks to Middlebury's one.