The top-ranked Middlebury field hockey team (4-0, 2-0) triumphed 3-1 over visiting #11 Bowdoin (2-2, 1-2) on Saturday. With the victory, the Panthers extend their home-winning streak to 39 games. Middlebury is back in action on Sunday when it hosts #12 Babson at 1:00 p.m., while the Polar Bears entertain Wellesley on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. 
 
The Panthers opened the scoring 10:12 into the game when Danielle Brown tipped in an initial bid by Erin Nicholas for the 1-0 edge. Middlebury doubled its lead with 12:52 expired when Nicholas lifted the ball over goalie Maddie Ferrucci's far shoulder to make it 2-0. 
 
In the second period, the Panthers had a flurry of opportunities, but a strong Bowdoin defense kept Middlebury at bay. 
 
Out of the intermission, the Polar Bears had a great opportunity to cut into the deficit after a penalty corner, but Abby Bashaw's chance was blocked by a Panther defender. Bowdoin got on the board with 40:04 expired. Bashaw sent a cross from the right side to Maya Malenfant on the left post, who one-timed the ball into the cage to make it 2-1. 
 
Middlebury added an insurance goal at the 49:59 mark. After a peanlty corner, Grace Murphy swept the ball to Nicholas before the midfielder snuck the ball past Ferrucci on the far side for the 3-1 final. 
 
Grace Harlan made two saves during the win, while Ferrucci stopped 14 shots for the Polar Bears. The Panthers held a commanding advantage in both shots (27-4) and penalty corners (15-1) during the victory.