The Middlebury women's soccer team continued its late-season push, posting a 1-0 NESCAC road win at Trinity (7-6-1, 3-5-1) on Saturday. Over the course of the last five games, the Panthers (10-3-1, 5-3-1) are a modest 4-0-1. Middlebury heads to Williams on Tuesday for the regular-season finale with a 3:00 p.m. kickoff.
 
The Panthers threatened at the 10-minute mark of the game, getting a chance on a corner kick. Abby Ward sent the ball toward the net from the near corner where Cate Wagner headed the cross just over the net.
 
The Bantams pushed back in the 20th minute when Whitney Hoban found space and directed a shot to the left side of the Middlebury net that keeper Sydney Poppinga slid over to corral.
 
The visitors broke through for a tally with 8:34 left before the half, as Ellie Bavier took a corner from the far side that Bantam keeper Mariana Cournoyer got a piece of, but the ball found its way inside the right post for a 1-0 Middlebury lead.
 
The Panthers relied on their defense and Poppinga in the second half to preserve the victory. Poppinga made six of her eight saves, which tied her career-high for her fifth shutout of the season.
 
Middlebury also pressed, firing five shots on goal with new Bantam goalie Jennifer Stuart stopping each bid.
 
Cournoyer added five stops in the opening half for Trinity, as Middlebury finished the game with a 16-11 advantage in shots and 10-2 in corner kicks.