The top-seeded Middlebury field hockey team cruised past eighth-seeded Hamilton on Saturday in a NESCAC Quarterfinal by a 5-1 score. The second-ranked Panthers advance to the NESCAC Semifinals for the 11th-straight time and are back in action next weekend when they host the rest of the conference tournament. Middlebury plays fifth-seeded Williams in the first semifinal at 11:00 a.m., while second-seeded Tufts and third-seeded Trinity square off in the other contest at 1:30 p.m. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• The Panthers looked to get on the scoreboard seven minutes into the first quarter. Following a penalty corner, Charlotte Marks' shot from the right side was saved by Continental goalie Abby Griffin's stacked pads.
• Middlebury earned a penalty stroke just over a minute later, but Amy Griffin's shot toward the lower-right corner of the goal was saved by Griffin diving to her left. 
• The Panthers tallied the lone goal of the opening quarter with 5:49 remaining. Katie George dribbled across the field, tucking the ball inside the left post for a 1-0 edge.
• Chances were hard to come by in the second quarter, with Middlebury producing the best opportunity in the final minute following a penalty corner. Meg Shelburne had her initial shot partially deflected, sending the ball rolling toward the stick of George, whose tip hit the outside of the goal for a 1-0 Panther halftime advantage.
• Middlebury grabbed a 2-0 lead 1:59 into the third quarter when Griffin blasted in a bid from the right side on a pass from Grace Murphy. 
• Hamilton cut the deficit in half on a penalty corner just 1:21 later its lone shot of the contest. Camille Donaghey inserted the ball to Kiara Wax before Hannah Dillon ripped an effort from the right side and tucked it inside the left post. 
• Middlebury regained its two-goal edge with 4:01 expired in the stanza when Caroline Segal ripped a reverse sweep from inside the circle that was tucked inside the left post. 
• The Panthers made it a 4-1 score 2:08 later when Lilly Branka tipped in an initial shot from Marks as part of a penalty corner.
• Middlebury controlled much of the play in the fourth quarter, as George tallied her second goal on the left post following a nifty cross from Sadie LeStage for the final 5-1 score.

NOTES

• George tied a season-best mark with her two goals and has at least one point in five of her last six games.
• Griffin has tallied at least one point in 14 of 16 contests this fall.
• Middlebury earned its 38th victory in the NESCAC tournament, the most among all schools.