The fourth-ranked Middlebury women's lacrosse team got its season off to a great start, picking up a 17-6 road win at Connecticut College in the season-opener for both squads. Laurel Pascal's six goals paced the Panthers, who outshot their opponents 32-12. Middlebury returns to action on Tuesday at Rensselaer.

Bridget Instrum, Hollis Perticone and Alli Sciarretta all contributed with two goals for the winning side, while Mary O'Connell scored and dished out six assists in the triumph. Evie Keating induced four Camel turnovers and had three ground balls, while Pascal won five draw controls. Kate Furber made four saves in her collegiate debut, surrendering three goals in 45 minutes of work. Madeleine Kinker contributed with 15 minutes of play in relief duty for the visitors.

Erin Moran and Tina Balzotti scored two goals each to lead the Camels. Madison Barker had one goal and eight draw controls for Connecticut College. Meg Raskin collected 11 of her 13 saves in the opening half of action for the Camels.

Pascal put the Panthers on top 1:26 into regulation. O'Connell was the facilitator on the next two goals, making passes from behind the cage to assist Pascal and Sciarretta for scores. Middlebury built a 5-0 lead when Pascal netted her third goal of the half with 18:44 to go.

The Camels answered with the next two goals to cut into the deficit. Hannah Donegan made a nice pass out in front to Balzotti, who flicked one in from point-blank range with 11:43 remaining. Moran followed with an unassisted marker that trimmed the deficit to 5-2 with 8:27 to go in the opening half.

Middlebury responded by scoring the final seven goals of the half as a part of a 10-0 run. Pascal scored three more goals in the closing 6:21 of the half. She executed nicely on the 10th Panther goal, recovering a rebound of her own shot with a ground ball before stuffing one home.

The Camels netted four of the final six scores to make it a 17-6 final.