The top-ranked Middlebury field hockey team advanced into the third round of the NCAA Tournament, as the Panthers collected a 5-1 triumph over Endicott on Saturday in the first meeting between the two programs. Middlebury (19-0) advances to Sunday's regional final at 1:00 p.m. where the team will face #7 Tufts for the second time this season. The Gulls capped their season at 14-7.

The victory extended a pair of winning streaks for the Panthers, as they have won 27-straight games overall and the last 46 contests played on Kohn Field.

Middlebury jumped out to an early lead, getting on the scoreboard 2:27 into the contest. Isabel Chandler set a pass from the goal line back out to just inside the arc, where Amy Griffin fired a shot into the right side of the net for the 1-0 edge

Endicott defender Meghan Lehouiller made a nice defensive save early in the second quarter, but Middlebury kept up the offensive pressure. Katie George tipped in a long pass from Katherine Lantzy for a 2-0 cushion with 8:11 showing on the clock. Just over two minutes later, Lantzy set up Riley Marchin for her first career tally, a long shot from the left side. The Panthers capped their three-goal outburst in the period with 4:22 left before the intermission, as Sadie LeStage chipped a pass from Lilly Branka behind Gull goalie Taylor Farrin.

In the third stanza, Erin Nicholas gave the hosts a 5-0 advantage with her conference-leading 23rd of the fall on a backhanded swing. That goal tied her with Reid Berrien (04-07) for fourth on Middlebury's career list for goals at 60.

Endicott spoiled the shutout bid in the final frame, scoring with 5:44 remaining in the contest. Sydney Poulin fired a shot from the top of the arc on a penalty corner that was blocked by the Middlebury defense, but she quickly collected the loose ball and sent a low shot into the net to make the final 5-1.

Panther goalie Grace Harlan earned the win in net, for her 40th career victory, while Taylor Farrin had 14 stops for the Gulls.

Middlebury held a big advantage in shots (26-2) and penalty corners (8-1).