The seventh-seeded Middlebury women's squash team (4-6) dropped just two games en route to a 9-0 shutout over 10th-seeded Connecticut College (4-9) on Friday night in the first round of the NESCAC Tournament. The Panthers take on second-seeded Tufts on Saturday at 11:45 a.m. in a quarterfinal match at host Hamilton. 
 
Ideal Dowling opened the scoring for Middlebury with a quick 12 minute match, cruising past her opponent 3-0 (11-7, 11-2, 11-5)  in the third spot. Caroline Arena followed with a 3-0 (11-6, 11-3, 11-5) victory at #4, before Firdaus Shallo earned a 3-1 (11-7, 11-7, 11-13, 12-10) triumph in the ninth slot. 
 
Abby Holding gave the Panthers a 4-0 lead with a three-set sweep (11-5, 11-8, 11-3) at the top of the ladder. Eva Finney clinched the match with a 3-0 win at #5, holding her opponent to just eight points (11-4, 11-1, 11-3). 
 
Kieran Suntha allowed the least number of points in action, cruising past her opponent 3-0 (11-2, 11-4, 11-1) in the seventh slot. At #2, Gwen Davis won by scores of 11-8, 11-2, 11-3. Grace Santoro came from behind in the sixth spot to triumph 3-1 (9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3), before Evan Weiss made it 9-0 with a three-match sweep (11-4, 11-8, 11-6) in the eighth slot.