Second-ranked Middlebury scored three goals in a span of 5:49 during the first half and eased to a 7-0 victory over the University of New England on Saturday in NCAA Tournament play on Kohn Field. The Panthers (18-1) advance to Sunday's regional final at 1:00 p.m., and will meet fifth-ranked Ursinus. The University of New England finishes its season at 17-7.

Middlebury got on the board first in the ninth minute on a penalty corner. Pam Schulman worked down the right side of the circle and laced a shot that was deflected in front of the goal off Jillian Green's stick. Just under three minutes later, Olivia Jurkowitz raced down the left side and sent a cross to Catherine Fowler, who rocketed a shot to the back of the cage for a 2-0 lead at 11:46.

Just under three minutes later at the 14:39 mark, Schulman collected a loose ball, dribbled down the right side and took a shot from 12 yards that hit the back of the cage. In the 23rd minute, Fowler took a shot from 15 yards out that was redirected into the cage by Jurkowitz for a 4-0 edge. Fowler became the program's all-time career assist leader with 46 at the 32:08 mark when she crossed a ball to Jurkowitz from the left side for a 5-0 advantage at the halftime break.

In the 51st minute after receiving a penalty corner, the ball was passed around the circle before Green tallied her second goal of the game on a shot from the right six yards away. Schulman dribbled down the right side and took a shot that was saved by Nor'Easter goalie Holly Smith. The rebound came right back to the stick of Schulman who put away her second score for the day at 55:05.

UNE's greatest scoring chance came with just over a minute left in regulation. Following a penalty corner, Alex Staples took a shot from eight yards away that Middlebury goalie Emily Knapp made a sprawling save to her left to preserve the shutout.

Middlebury held a 13-3 shots advantage in the game and an 8-3 edge in penalty corners. Knapp (18-1) made three saves in goal for the Panthers, while Smith (17-7) was credited with six stops.

WCAX HIGHLIGHTS