Fifth-ranked Middlebury scored three times on the power play on its way to a 5-1 win over Trinity in the season-opener for both teams. The NESCAC foes return to Kenyon Arena on Saturday for game two with face-off set for 3:00 p.m.

Trinity took a 1-0 lead 3:43 into the game on a power play goal, as Emma Tani scored the team's first of the season from the right point.

Middlebury tied the game with a power play goal of its own at the 8:16 mark of the period. Carly Watson's shot from the left point was blocked before Katie Mandigo put home the rebound. The Panthers struck again with the extra attacker at 11:22, taking a 3-1 lead when Elizabeth Wulf redirected a shot from Kelly Sherman.

Leading 2-1 in the second period, the Panthers added to their lead when Mandigo finished after a shot from Watson had been saved. Sherman made it a 4-1 game when she scored on a breakaway, as her shot just trickled through the pads of Sydney Belinskas.

Middlebury put the game out of reach 5:00 into the third period with its third power play goal of the night. Julia Wardwell took advantage of a failed clearing attempt, wristing a shot past Belinskas from the right side.    

After a relatively even first period, Middlebury finished the game with a 30-19 shots advantage. Marisa Dreher picked up the win in goal with 18 saves, while Belinskas finished with 25 stops for the Bantams.