Middlebury's Maddie Bayard scored a power-play goal with 5:54 remaining, lifting the second-ranked Panthers to 2-1 NESCAC triumph over visiting Colby on Saturday. Middlebury (12-1-2, 7-0-1) continues conference play next weekend with a series at Hamilton, while the Mules (9-4-2, 5-2-1) host the University of New England on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Middlebury got off to a quick start, opening the scoring 2:55 into the contest. Katie Hargrave swept in her own rebound from top of the crease after taking a nice pass from Madie Leidt along the left boards. Middlebury goalie Lin Han came up with a shoulder save on a breakaway by Colby's Moira Mullaney with 11:15 on the clock. Han also helped the Panthers kill off back-to-back penalties late in the frame, including 18 seconds of a 5-3 disadvantage. Ellie Barney nearly gave the hosts a two-goal lead in the final seconds, but was stopped on a breakaway by Mule goalie Cierra San Roman.

The teams skated through a scoreless middle stanza, but each team had chances. Middlebury hit a pair of pipes, as Leidt hit one while on a power play and Ashley McDonald dinged another with the team shorthanded. Han had her best save of the game just before the midway point, making a sprawling stop with her left skate to deny Lauren Klein's deflection from the doorstep.

In the final 20 minutes, the visitors tied the score with 10:05 on the clock when Bri Michaud-Nolan's shot from the left point eluded traffic and went in behind Han. Middlebury netted the eventual game winner with 5:54 remaining. Anna Zumwinkle's shot from the point was tipped by Audrey Lazar with San Roman making the save, but Bayard lifted the rebound into the net for a deciding tally.  

Han earned the win with 24 saves, while San Roman made 22 stops for the Mules. Colby held a slight 25-24 edge in shots, while Middlebury went 1-4 on the power play, while holding Colby scoreless on three attempts.