The Middlebury women's soccer team collected a 5-0 shutout over visiting Plymouth State on Wednesday in the season opener for the Panthers. Second-ranked Middlebury (1-0) begins NESCAC play on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Wesleyan, while Plymouth State (0-2) hosts UMaine-Farmington on the same day at 12:30 p.m.

The visitors boasted their best chance to break open the scoring with just under 12 minutes expired, as Sofia Karlsson's shot went wide of the left post after hitting a Middlebury player. On the ensuing corner kick, Mallory Lloyd's attempt was cleared away by a defender.

The hosts started the scoring minutes later when Simone Ameer chipped a shot over Plymouth State goalie Jenna Parsons, after running onto a nice through ball by Eliza Robinson. Middlebury struck for a pair of goals in a span of 2:48 late in the frame, with Isabelle Hartnett heading in a corner kick from Anna Glovin for a 2-0 cushion with 12:24 left before the half. Quinn Rogers netted her first collegiate tally on a cross from Ellie Greenberg minutes later for a 3-0 advantage.

In the second stanza, Plymouth State had a good scoring opportunity in the opening 10 minutes, as Sarah Hicks sent a cross to the far post that Lloyd directed just wide of the left post.

Middlebury increased its lead to 4-0 in the 53rd minute when Olivia Miller headed in a corner from the right post on a Cate Shellenback offering. The hosts closed out the scoring with 23:34 left on the clock, as Robinson lined a shot into the top-right corner of the net after taking a feed from Miller.

In goal for the hosts, Ursula Alwang earned the win without facing a shot in the opening 45 minutes, while Eva Shaw had one save in the second half. Jenna Parsons recorded seven saves in the opening frame for the guests, while Elena Register had one in the second.

Middlebury held a 24-6 margin in shots and a 7-1 edge in corner kicks.