POST-GAME INTERVIEWS

Fourth-ranked Middlebury saw its season come to an end, falling to top-ranked Messiah College Sunday afternoon by a 4-2 score in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Anderson Field.  The hosts scored twice in the final 10 minutes of the second half to break a 2-2 tie. The Panthers conclude their season at 15-5, while the Falcons (20-1) advance to the final four next weekend for the first time since 2010 and will play Babson.

The Panthers converted on their first shot of the game when Annie Leonard opened the scoring 12:44 into the contest. Leonard touched the ball past a pair of Falcon defenders and laced a shot into the lower right corner of the cage. It was her 24th goal of the season and sixth in the last four games. The goal also marked the second-straight season the forward has scored 24 goals. In three seasons, she tied for fourth with Catherine Fowler '15 for career goals (57).

The hosts nearly tied the game midway through the half with back-to-back quality chances. Kezia Loht had the first with a shot from the right side and Carissa Gehman followed with a high attempt, but each bid was denied by Middlebury goalie Emily Miller.

The Falcons tied the game on a penalty stroke when Shayna Landis tucked a shot inside the right post, tying the game 1-1 with 9:44 before the half. Messiah took the lead five minutes later on a penalty corner. Taylor Holt inserted the ball to the near wing where Loht lofted a high shot to the top right corner of the cage for a 2-1 advantage.

Trailing by a goal at the start of the second stanza, the Panthers erased that deficit when they were awarded a penalty corner. A smooth insert by Audrey Quirk to stopper Grace Jennings, set up a blast by Lauren Schweppe that found its way to the back of the net. The goal was her 12th of the season and came with 8:32 expired in the half. Jennings' assist on the play extended her point-scoring streak to seven-straight games (4-5-13).

Messiah forged back into the lead in the final 10 minutes on a penalty corner. Holt inserted the ball and slid to the left post where she tapped in a pass from Gehman. The goal was her 18th of the fall and came with 8:22 on the clock.

The Panthers pressed for the equalizer and had their best chance with 1:23 remaining when Kelly Coyle got off a shot, but it went wide. Seconds later, Gehman added an insurance goal into an empty net as Middlebury had replaced Miller for an extra field player.

Miller had eight saves for the Panthers, while Messiah's Shelby Landes had two stops. The hosts held an advantage in both shots (15-7) and penalty corners (8-5).

The game marked the first time Middlebury and Messiah have played since the second round of the 2007 tournament, splitting the four meetings. Messiah upped its winning streak to 20-straight games and hasn't lost since its season opener against Division II Shippensburg.