The top-ranked Middlebury field hockey team scored three goals in a span of 3:12 during Saturday's third quarter, turning a 1-1 contest into a three-goal lead en route to a 5-1 victory at Colby. The win is the 25th-straight triumph for the program away from Peter Kohn Field.  
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• The Panthers controlled much of the play in their offensive end during the first quarter, as the visitors produced quality scoring chances throughout with the best coming with 9:19 elapsed. Back-to-back shots by Lilly Branka and Katie George were each saved by the top of Mule goalie Emily Loeb's pads to keep the game scoreless.
• Middlebury broke the tie with 8:12 elapsed in the second frame. After a Colby turnover, George lifted a reverse sweep from close range into the upper part of the goal for the 1-0 lead.
• The Mules leveled the contest following a penalty corner with 3:32 showing on the clock. Erin Quirk tapped in the loose ball on the left post to make it 1-1.
• With less than a minute left, the Panthers looked to regain the lead but a spinning shot from just inside the arc from Caroline Segal was kicked away by Loeb to keep it deadlocked at halftime.
• Middlebury came out of the break firing with a pair of opportunities in the opening minute of the third quarter, but shots by Audrey Lazar on the rush and Branka 28 seconds later were denied by Loeb.
• Branka started the quick run 4:31 into the stanza, redirecting a pass and tucking the ball into the left side.
• The Panthers increased their advantage to 3-1 two minutes later when Amy Griffin rifled in a reverse sweep from just inside the arc.
• Middlebury capped the offensive run with 7:17 left in the game as Lilly Thieberg blasted a shot into the right corner following a nifty pass through traffic from Branka for a three-goal (4-1) edge.
• Colby looked to cut into the lead with five minutes remaining, but two big saves from Panther goalie KK Newton thwarted the bids.
• Claire McMichael tallied her first career goal with 2:05 left in the contest for the final 5-1 tally. 

NOTES

• The assist by Ellie Harrison on the fifth goal was her first helper of the season.
• McMichael becomes the 16th different player to record a goal this fall.
• The programs played for the 41st time with Middlebury owning a 39-1 advantage in the all-time series as the Panthers have claimed victory in each of the last 27 meetings.
• The victory is the 10th of the season for Middlebury, marking the 22nd-consecutive year that the program has reached that plateau.

The Panthers remain on the road Sunday with a 12:00 p.m. start at Endicott.