The top-seeded/#2 Middlebury field hockey team scored twice in both the second and fourth quarters during a 4-0 victory over fifth-seeded/#6 Williams on Saturday in a NESCAC Semifinal contest. With the victory, the Panthers advance to the conference championship for the 11th-straight season and the 15th time overall. Middlebury is the four-time defending NESCAC Champion and will host the winner of third-seeded/#5 Trinity and second-seeded/#9 Tufts on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Middlebury looked to open the scoring with just under five minutes expired as Katie George drove down the right toward the cage, but her shot went just wide. 
• With 22:40 elapsed, the Panthers had another great chance to score. Following a penalty corner, an initial shot by Lilly Branka was blocked. Caroline Segal collected the rebound, but her blast hit the outside of the cage. 
• The Panthers broke through less than two minutes later when Audrey Lazar fired in a rebound following a shot by Segal, making it 1-0.
• Middlebury took a 2-0 lead with 2:41 remaining before half following a penalty corner. Lazar lifted a shot that hit the crossbar, but Katie George was there to tap in the loose ball to double the advantage.
• Williams looked to get on the scoreboard 1:03 into the third quarter. Shea van den Broek's bid from the left was denied on the goal line by a defensive save from Amy Griffin. 
• Less than a minute later, Williams' Molly Hellman ripped a shot from the right side that was saved by Panther goalie Grace Harlan's right pad.
• The Ephs produced a quality scoring chance with 10:55 left in the quarter, but Emily Batchelor's shot on the run was denied by Harlan.
• The Panthers doubled their lead with a pair of goals just 49 seconds apart in the fourth frame. Branka tapped in a loose ball following a scramble in front with 2:20 elapsed, before George gave Middlebury a 4-0 advantage with her second of the contest on the doorstep.
• Harlan preserved the shutout with 1:49 remaining, denying Batchelor's shot from the left side for the final 4-0 score.

 
NOTES

• The shutout was the 20th of Harlan's career, moving her just one behind the program career record of 21.
• Harlan finished with a season-high four saves in the victory.
• George has scored a pair of goals in each of the last two games and has at least one point in seven of the last eight contests.
• Middlebury earned its 39th victory in the NESCAC tournament, the most among all schools.