Fifth-ranked Middlebury handed host Connecticut College (3-1-1, 1-1-1) its first loss of the season, as the Panthers (3-1-0, 3-0-0) posted a 3-0 shutout Friday on the road in Dayton Arena. The teams complete the two-game NESCAC series Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

During an evenly played first period which saw the Panthers hold a 7-6 edge in shots, the Camels had a golden opportunity to get on the scoreboard first when they gained a 5-on-3 advantage for more than a minute. The hosts controlled possession in their offensive end, but the Middlebury defense didn't allow any good looks from any closer than the blue line to keep the game scoreless.

In the second period, Middlebury took control at the 3:15 mark. Ellie Barney won a battle for the puck along the boards and found Madie Leidt, who slipped the puck past Conn. College goalie Carly Denora on the right post.

The Camels nearly tied the game in the opening minutes of the third when Melissa Alexander came in on a breakaway following a faceoff win, but her shot attempt sailed wide right.

After a faceoff victory in their defensive zone, the Panthers doubled their margin when Jenna Marotta poked the puck to Leidt, who went nearly coast-to-coast before finishing with a shot from the high slot with 14:25 remaining. Jenna Letterie provided an insurance score by potting the rebound of a shot initially taken by Leidt, who factored into all three goals in the victory.

Lin Han earned the shutout victory between the pipes by turning away all 25 shots she faced for Middlebury, which outshot the Camels by a 32-25 margin in the contest. Denora made 29 saves in the setback.