Emily Fluke scored a pair of power-play goals in a span of 7:05 of the second period, leading fourth-ranked Middlebury (13-2-3, 9-1-2) to a 3-1 NESCAC victory Saturday over visiting Hamilton (7-8-3, 1-7-2) inside Kenyon Arena. The Panthers return to the ice on Tuesday when they host third-ranked Norwich at 7:00 p.m., while Hamilton plays Wesleyan at home next Friday at 7:00 p.m.

The Continentals had the offensive pressure up early in the first period, logging the game's first six shots. Hamilton's best scoring chance came just over six minutes in when Hannah Bartlett and Megan Fitzgerald laced back-to-back wristers that Middlebury goalie Madeline Marsh turned away. Middlebury turned the momentum in its favor as the hosts tallied the next 13 shots. Near the midway point of the period, Jane Freda looked to put the Panthers on the board with a point-blank shot that Hamilton goaltender Samantha Walther had the puck carom off her mask and bounce away harmlessly.

A little over two minutes later, Julia Wardwell got Middlebury on the board on a wrister from just outside the right circle on accurate passes from Laura McConney and Mackenzie Martin.

With Middlebury clinging to a 1-0 lead in the second, Fluke tipped a Carly Watson shot from the right point at 12:13 following a crisp pass across the ice from Hannah Bielawski.

A little over seven minutes later and skating five-on-three, Fluke tallied her second of the game. Watson sent a pass from the left side toward the net that Jessica Young poked her stick toward in the crease. A few seconds later, Fluke lifted the puck into the top of the net following a scrum giving the Panthers a 3-0 advantage. Fluke is now tied for the NESCAC lead with 14 goals and her 1.72 points per game (14-17-31) in 18 contests also pace the league.

In the final period, Hamilton scored its goal on a rebound at 2:42. Bartlett collected her initial shot and lifted the puck over the shoulder of Marsh.

For the contest, Middlebury held a 31-11 advantage in shots. Marsh tallied 10 saves for the Panthers in the win, while Walther was credited with 28 stops for the Continentals.