Middlebury's Bridget Instrum scored on a free-position shot 2:51 into overtime, lifting the sixth-ranked Panthers to a 10-9 NESCAC victory at Williams on Wednesday in the final regular season game for both teams. Middlebury (14-1, 9-1) will host Tufts in a NESCAC Quarterfinal game on Saturday. 

The opening half was close throughout with the teams separated by no more than two goals. The Ephs (5-10, 2-8) opened the scoring 4:41 into the contest on goal by Natalie Gill, while the guests tied the game 1:23 later on a tally by Instrum.

After Williams went in front 2-1, the Panthers received back-to-back goals from Instrum and Megan Griffin to take their first lead of the game with 20:52 showing on the clock.

The Ephs countered with consecutive goals to jump back into the lead (4-3), but Griffin recorded her second goal of the game, tying the score 4-4.

Williams closed out the opening 30 minutes with goals from Emma Tenbarge and Anne Rehfuss for a 6-4 advantage at the break.

The Panthers got off to a good start in the second half with Laurel Pascal winning the opening draw control and Chrissy Ritter making it a one-goal game (6-5) at the 45-second mark. Mary O'Connell knotted the score at 6-6 with 22:03 remaining in the half with an assist from Ritter.

The hosts pulled back in front on Tenbarge's third goal of the game, but Pascal tallied 1:19 later to force another tie (7-7).

After the hosts went ahead 8-7, the Panthers tied the game on a play that started on the defensive half of the field. Goalie Katie Mandigo stopped Alyssa Maddalone on a free-position attempt and Pascal scooped up the ground ball. Following a successful clear, Pascal scored with 12:39 left in regulation on a feed from Hollis Perticone.

Emma McDonagh put Middlebury on top 9-8 with 10:50 left in the half, but the Ephs converted a free-position shot with 45.5 seconds left by Tenbarge to set up overtime.

In the extra period, Perticone gave the Panthers possession by causing a turnover and Instrum was later fouled and awarded a free-position attempt. She was lined up on the left side of the arc and cut across the top of the crease, before beating Eph goalie Margaret Draper with a low shot. It was the second time this season Instrum has scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

Instrum led the Panthers with three goals, establishing a new single-season career high in goals with 42. Griffin and Pascal each scored twice, while Pascal added five ground balls, five caused turnovers and three draw controls. Mandigo recorded three saves, improving to 6-1 on the season.

Tenbarge paced the Ephs with four goals, while Jenna Chodos collected five draw controls.

Draper took the loss for Williams with five saves, as the hosts held a 22-17 edge in shots and 11-9 in draw controls.