Fourth-ranked Middlebury received a goal from Jessica Young 1:54 into overtime to earn a 2-1 win at Utica (5-4-2) on Tuesday night at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The Panthers improve to 8-2-1 on the year and return to action Friday and Saturday with a key NESCAC series in Kenyon Arena against #9 Amherst.
The first 20 minutes did not contain much action, as each team played tough defensively. The Panthers turned up the pressure in the second stanza, outshooting UC 13-3 over the course of the period. Middlebury was able to get one past Utica net minder Marissa McNamara just 2:29 into the period when Katie Mandigo redirected a centering feed from Katie Sullivan for her fifth of the year. Despite sustained pressure by the Panther offense, McNamara stood strong, sending the Pioneers into the locker room trailing 1-0.
Utica evened the score 11:36 into the third when Louise Steele-Norton deflected a point shot for her sixth goal of the season. Middlebury goalie Marisa Dreher came up big with 5:45 left on the clock as Utica's Gabrielle Schnepp came in on a breakaway, but Dreher turned the shot aside to keep the game tied at 1-1.
Each team had chances in the overtime, but it was the Panthers who were able to sneak in the winner. Young was able to get her stick on a bouncing puck and push in past McNamara for her fifth of the year, assisted by Janka Hlinka.
Dreher made 14 saves in goal to earn her first career win. McNamara finished with 24 stops for the Pioneers as Middlebury held a 26-15 shots advantage in the contest.
