The 23rd-ranked Middlebury women's soccer team put together a strong performance in its home opener, defeating Wheaton 3-1 on Sunday afternoon. Tied 1-1 at intermission, the Panthers tallied two unanswered goals in the second half to secure the victory.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• In the 8th minute, Joely Virzi struck a curling right footed shot that looked destined for the top left corner, but was denied by a flying save from Lyons' goalkeeper Patricia Bandrup, as she dove to her right to punch the ball away, keeping the score at 0-0. 
• Wheaton's Sadie Recht then found herself alone in front of goal just four minutes later, but was denied by a sprawling leg save by Lucy VanNewkirk.
• The Lyons got on the board in the 13th minute when Kate Wickenheisser broke through the Middlebury back line, in the 18 yard box. Her initial effort was stopped by VanNewkirk, but the ball ricocheted into the Middlebury net. 
• Middlebury answered almost immediately, as Ella Gagnon and Sophia Cole quickly split through the defense with wonderful combination play in the offensive zone. After a cutback across the box from Gagnon, Cole found herself one-on-one with the goalie and slotted the ball past Bandrup to even the score at one apiece in the 14th minute.  
• The Panthers had a great chance to take the lead with 20 minutes remaining in the first half. Virzi one-timed a corner kick by Ellie Bavier, but the shot hit the left post and deflected back into play. Emma Binks sent the rebound towards the goal, but Bandrup was there to thwart the close-range attempt and keep the game tied 1-1.
• Middlebury broke through during the 61st minute. Carolyn Days broke away down the right side of the pitch and whipped a low cross through the 18 yard box. Her cross found the feet of Elizabeth Jack, who slid the ball past the keeper and into the net for the 2-1 edge.
• The Panthers made it 3-1 less than a minute later, as Cate Woolsey found the ball at her feet in the six-yard box and was able to beat the goalkeeper to the bottom-left corner. 

• This was the first match played on the newly-renovated Dragone Field.
• Elizabeth Jack and Cate Woolsey both recorded their first career goals in the victory.
• Carolyn Kelley recorded her first win between the sticks, after earning her first start in goal a day ago.