The Middlebury field hockey team advanced to the NESCAC Championship game for the fourth-consecutive year and eighth time overall after a 3-1 win over ninth-ranked Trinity at Bowdoin. The two-time defending NESCAC champion Panthers (16-1) will get the opportunity to defend their title on Sunday at noon when they will face Bowdoin in the title match for the fourth-straight season.

Middlebury got on the board just five minutes into the contest as a penalty corner came to the right side for Catherine Fowler, who ripped a hard, low shot that beat Trinity goaltender Sophie Fitzpatrick. The goal was Fowler's team-leading 17th of the season.

The Panthers doubled their advantage less than 13 minutes later as Fowler played the ball into the circle to Olivia Jurkowitz, who redirected a shot towards the right post. Jillian Green poked home the loose ball to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead at 18:25 with her second goal of the season.

Trinity was able to get one back before halftime, as leading scorer Kelcie Finn rifled a shot from the top of the circle at 24:10, making it 2-1 at the break.

The Bantams pressured the Middlebury net early in the second half, but couldn't find the equalizer. Following a yellow card to Bantam netminder Fitzpatrick, the Panthers cashed in with an insurance goal, as Fowler wristed home a shot from the left side at 40:17. Her 18th of the season made it a 3-1 game early in the second half.

Goalie Emily Knapp made three saves in the win for Middlebury, while Trinity's Fitzpatrick made four saves in 64:03 of action, allowing two goals. Gianna Pileggi stopped one shot and allowed one goal in 5:57 of play.

Sunday's NESCAC final will be the sixth meeting between Bowdoin and Middlebury in the NESCAC Field Hockey championship match. Bowdoin has been victorious on three previous occasions (2006, 2007 and 2011) while Middlebury has claimed the last two (2012 and 2013).