Middlebury College

Erin Nicholas scored 7:32 into overtime, lifting top-ranked Middlebury (12-0, 7-0) to a 2-1 victory over #4 Tufts (7-2, 5-1) on senior day at Kohn Field. Prior to the game, the Panthers honored seniors Joan Vera, Isabel Chandler, Danielle Brown, Nicholas, Selin Everett and Meg Fearey. Middlebury returns to action next Saturday at Colby, while the Jumbos host Wellesley on Wednesday night.

Tufts' best opportunity of the first quarter came with 5:11 remaining. A tough bounce off a defender's stick left Gillian Roeca some space at close range, but she was unable to get a shot away.

Middlebury pressured at the 10:25 mark of the second quarter when Katie George's first shot was blocked by a defender, before her follow up attempt was saved by Tufts' goalkeeper Andie Stallman.

In the second half, Claire Foley of Tufts had a good look in the 40th minute, but Grace Harlan was there to make the save for the Panthers. Middlebury had a chance of their own with 2:20 left in the third, but Grace Murphy's shot from the right side went wide.

Middlebury scored the game's first goal just 1:09 into the fourth quarter on a penalty corner. Murphy's shot from the top of the circle deflected high into the air where inserter Chandler knocked it out of the air and into the back of the cage for her fourth of the season.

Tufts nearly tied the game up with a blast from Reegan McCluskey on a penalty corner in the 53rd minute, but Harlan was equal to the task. The Jumbos finally broke through with 2:28 remaining, forcing the game into overtime. Roeca gathered the ball on the right side before sending a cross to Claire Foley, who knocked it in to tie the game at 1-1 and force overtime.

Tufts controlled possession early in the extra session, with Roeca having the best chance to score for the visitors, but her shot was denied by Harlan.

Middlebury pressured on the other end, earning a penalty corner with 3:01 remaining. After the corner was cleared, Chandler sent the ball from the left to the top of the circle where Nicholas gathered the pass and drove to the right side. After a couple of touches, she rifled a shot into the left side of the cage for the game-winner, her 14th goal of the season.

Middlebury finished with an 8-4 edge in shots and a 6-4 lead in penalty corners. Harlan was stellar in net with three saves, while Stallman (3 saves) played the first half, and Sam Gibby played the remainder of the game for Tufts.

The victory was the 44th straight on Kohn Field for the Panthers and their 20th overall.