The top-ranked Middlebury field hockey team scored one goal in each of the first three quarters on its way to a 3-0 victory Wednesday over #10 Williams. With the triumph, the Panthers tally their second undefeated regular season in the last three years. Middlebury secured the top seed in the upcoming NESCAC Tournament and will host a quarterfinal contest on Saturday at Peter Kohn Field.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• The visitors had a penalty corner three minutes into the first quarter, but a blast by Charlotte Marks went just wide of the left post.
• The Panthers grabbed the 1-0 lead with 5:24 left in the initial stanza. Amy Griffin drove down the right side of the field, sending a low pass that was deflected by Caroline Segal up and over the shoulder of Eph goalie Gates Tenerowicz and into the top of the net.
• The visitors had a quality chance to increase the edge, but a reverse sweep by Lilly Branka with 1:50 remaining in the opening stanza whistled wide of the right post.
• The Panthers nearly doubled the lead 7:17 into the second quarter, but Segal's bid clanged off the left post and caromed away.
• Following a penalty corner seconds later, Griffin increased the advantage with a powerful shot that tucked inside the left post for the 2-0 Middlebury advantage at the 6:45 mark. 
• Williams had its best chance of the opening half with 6:16 showing on the clock. After a penalty corner, a bid by Pilar Torres from just inside the arc was saved by the right pad of Panther goalie KK Newton.
• The Ephs looked to slice into the deficit with 2:38 remaining in the third quarter. Following a penalty corner, Kiki Higgins had her shot blocked to preserve the two-goal lead.
• Middlebury pushed its lead to three (3-0) with 17.3 seconds left. The Panthers were awarded a penalty stroke, as Griffin ripped her effort into the lower-right corner.
• Williams looked to get on the board nine minutes into the final quarter, but Higgins' attempt from the right side of the arc was denied by Newton for the final 3-0 score.

NOTES

• Griffin finished with two goals and an assist in Wednesday's win. She has posted three-straight two-goal outputs and has also recorded at least one tally in each of the last eight games.
• Segal's first-quarter goal was her 10th marker this fall.
• Newton's shutout was the third in as many games and the seventh of the season.
• The Panthers are one of three teams remaining in Division III with unbeaten records. The program also saw two winning streaks increase, picking up the 24-straight overall triumph and the 29th-consecutive road victory.
• The programs played for the 59th time with Middlebury owning a 35-21-3 advantage with the Panthers winning 14 of the last 15 meetings.

 The NESCAC Tournament seedings will be announced later this evening by the league office.