Adrianna Gildner continued her hot scoring streak, posting both Middlebury goals as the Panthers blanked host Castleton 2-0 at Spartan Field. Gildner, who has seven goals in her last five matches, and the rest of the Panthers (4-3-4) return to the pitch with a match Saturday when they host NESCAC foe Trinity as part of Homecoming Weekend at 2:00 p.m.

The reigning NESCAC Player of the Week, Gildner got the Panthers on the scoreboard at the 7:14 mark. From the middle of the field, Hannah Robinson delivered a through ball to a cutting Gildner just inside the box. The forward collected the pass before bending a strike past the Castleton goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net to put the away side ahead by one.

Middlebury maintained the offensive momentum throughout the opening half, producing seven shots and forcing the Castleton defense into action on a regular basis. The Spartans backline stood strong and staved off any scoring threats to maintain the one-goal deficit heading into the break.

Less than 30 seconds into the second half, Middlebury had a golden opportunity to double its advantage. Jamie Soroka received the ball while streaking down the near flank and dribbled into the box before firing a curving shot on goal. Spartan goalie Jessica Binkowski got a hand on the shot and forced the ball off the crossbar to deny the scoring threat.

Three minutes later, the Panther attack continued to mount pressure, as Gildner scored her second goal of the contest and seventh of the season. Binkowski produced a fantastic pair of saves and denied Middelbury's initial two attempts on goal, but Gildner finished the third try off her own rebound to give the squad a 2-0 lead.  

The Spartans responded and in the 50th minute of play with their best opportunity of the contest. Mallory Costello dribbled across the crease before laying the ball off to Eva Clark, who put a shot on target. Middlebury keeper Kate Reinmuth denied Clark's effort for one of her two saves in the match and secured a 2-0 Middlebury victory.

Reinmuth finished with a pair of saves and posted her first shutout this season and sixth of her career, while Binkowski produced five stops and stifling a number of breakaway opportunities in the losing effort.

Middlebury held a 22-6 edge in shots, including a 15-4 advantage in the second half, along with a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.