The Middlebury women's soccer team (13-3-3) scored with 3:01 remaining in the second half, propelling the Panthers to a 3-2 victory over Lynchburg (15-6-0) in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Middlebury's run in the postseason continues on Sunday, taking on host and fourth-ranked Misericordia at 3:00 p.m.

The Panthers wasted little time finding a one-goal advantage in the first half, as Elise Morris served a ball from midfield to Gretchen McGrath just outside the Hornets' penalty box on the right side. McGrath settled the ball, beat a defender, and buried the shot into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead just 13:32 into the game.

Middlebury doubled its advantage in the 22nd minute, starting with a corner on the right side. Ellie Bavier sent a low cross to the front post that was touched on by McGrath. Eliza Robinson pounced on the pass and roofed the shot into the top of the net inside the right post for the 2-0 lead at the half.

It nearly turned into a three-goal game twice for the Panthers in the second half, as two opportunities clanged off the post at the beginning of the final period. The first attempt came in the 66th minute when Bavier dribbled in from the right side and sent a service to the opposite post. Robinson beat the keeper with a sliding shot, but it banged off the far post. Sophia Cole one-timed the rebound back in on goal but the second attempt was saved and the threat was neutralized. The second chance came moments later as Fanny Lodge dribbled in on goal from the left side. She placed a low shot past the keeper to the opposite corner, but it banged off the far post. Bavier sent the rebound just over the bar and out of play, keeping the score at 2-0.

Lynchburg mounted a late rally, taking advantage of a set-piece from midfield and scoring at the 71:15 mark. Alix Allen knocked a free kick into Middlebury's penalty box. The clearance by the Panthers defense fell to Emily Santana at the top of the box, who settled it and rifled a shot into the right corner of the goal, making the score 2-1. 

The Hornets found the equalizer almost exactly nine minutes later as Sydney Dombrovskis found space down the left wing of the attacking third. She sent a low pass across the top of the Middlebury penalty box, finding the feet of Santana once again who rocketed a shot into the right upper-90 of the goal, tying the game 2-2 with 79:14 on the clock.

Middlebury avoided its seventh overtime match of the season, finding the game-winner in the at the 86:59 mark. After a free kick by the Panthers from the left side was cleared off the Lynchburg back line, Morris tracked down the ball and immediately served it back to the far post to an unmarked Bavier. She dribbled in on goal and slotted a diagonal pass back across goal to Lucy Patton who buried the shot, propelling Middlebury to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with the 3-2 win.

The Panthers held a 17-6 shot advantage during the victory. Sydney Poppinga tallied her 10th win of the season with two saves, while Jade Lecklider made two stops for Lynchburg.