The #1/top-seeded Middlebury field hockey team continues its NESCAC Title defense this weekend, taking on #12/seventh-seeded Amherst at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday in semifinal action. The Panthers earned the right to host the remainder of the tournament, with the other semifinal at 1:30 p.m. and the championship taking place on Sunday at noon. All four teams remaining in the tournament are ranked in the top-12 spots nationally, with three of the four quarterfinals having been decided in overtime.
 
ABOUT MIDDLEBURY

• Middlebury advanced to the semifinals with a decisive 6-1 quarterfinal victory over Trinity.
• The Panthers are one of just two schools (Bowdoin) to qualify for every NESCAC Tournament since its inception in 2000.
• Middlebury is the perennial powerhouse, having captured the last five consecutive (2017-2022) NESCAC titles.
• The program leads the conference with nine total crowns, while the Polar Bears are right behind with eight.
• The squad completed its second undefeated regular season in the last three years (2021).
• The Panthers are one of just three Division III schools left with an unbeaten mark, joining Christopher Newport and Ohio Wesleyan.
• Middlebury owns an impressive 67-1 record on Peter Kohn Field over the last 68 games.
• The Panthers enter the weekend riding a 25-game winning streak that dates back to the 2022 season.
• Middlebury is first in the NESCAC rankings in scoring average (5.25 goals/game) and fewest goals allowed (nine) and is second in save percentage (.775).
• The Panthers have recorded nine shutouts this season.

PANTHERS TO WATCH

• Charlotte Marks and goalie KK Newton hold down a strong defensive unit this season, both playing in nearly 900 minutes of action. Marks has recorded a trio of defensive saves this season, while Newton sits atop the NESCAC rankings in shutouts (seven) and goal against average (.539). 
• The midfield is anchored by Lilly Branka, Ellie Hughes, Katherine Lantzy and Sadie LeStage who have each started in all 16 games this season. 
• Amy Griffin paces a powerful offense this season, leading the NESCAC and ranking in the top-11 spots nationally in points (46) and goals (19), while adding eight assists. The Panther was tabbed the conference player of the week on Monday, factoring into six of Middlebury's nine goals in a 2-0 week. Griffin is fourth on the Panthers' career assist list with 33. 
• Joining Griffin on the attack is Katie George who is first in the league with four game-winning markers, and right behind Griffin with 36 points. George is fifth on Middlebury's all-time scoring list with 64 markers and has tallied 17 goals this season.
• Also packing a powerful punch at the forward position are Caroline Segal and Audrey Lazar. The duo holds down the third and fourth spots on the squad with 29 and 25 points, respectively. Lazar tallied her 100th career point (45G, 10A) in quarterfinal action.

ABOUT AMHERST

• Amherst heads into the weekend coming off a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against second-seeded Tufts in quarterfinal action. The Mammoths avenged their regular-season loss to the Jumbos, having been edged 2-1.
• Amherst is seeking the program's first NESCAC Title, advancing to the finals once in 2001.
• The Mammoths are making their 20th appearance in the tournament.

MAMMOTHS TO WATCH

• Forwards Sam Maynard and Muffie Mazambani have been the engine for Amherst this year. Maynard paces the team in points (32) and goals (15), with Mazambani right behind (31P, 14G). 
• Defenders Charlotte Domittner and Kate Smith have started all 16 games and played over 950 minutes each. Smith has also been productive on the offensive output, tallying 10 points (4G, 2A), while Domittner has recorded a pair of defensive saves.
• Goalie Sara Nidus has started 14 contests this year, owning a 1.63 goals against average to go along with a .638 save percentage. 

SERIES HISTORY

• The programs play for the 44th time with Middlebury owning a 34-8-1 advantage.
• The Panthers have won each of the last 15 meetings, including a 3-0 victory on September 9 to open conference play.
• This will be the seventh meeting between the programs in the NESCAC Tournament, with six of them coming in the semifinal round. The teams have not faced each other in the tournament since 2013.

ABOUT BATES

• If Middlebury and Bates meet in the championship, it would be the 49th contest between the teams with Middlebury owning a 43-4-1 mark. 
• The Panthers have won 31-straight contests against the Bobcats, including a 2-0 victory on Peter Kohn Field on September 24. The two goals were the fewest scored in a game by Middlebury this season. 
• The programs have played four times in the NESCAC Tournament, either in the first round or the quarterfinals and Middlebury has won all four (last in 2021).
• Bates is riding a five-game winning streak entering Saturday's semifinal and has won nine of the last 10 contests with a 12-4 record after starting the season at 3-3.
• The Cote sisters pace the Bobcats' attack, with Paige recording 24 points (8G, 8A) with Anna right behind with 23 points (10G, 3A), including three game-winning markers.
• Defender Molly Griffin and midfielder Sarah Bussell have each played over 900 minutes this season while starting in all 16 games. 
• Goalie Kalli Jacobsen ranks in the top-five spots in the NESCAC in GAA (1.54) and shutouts with two. 

ABOUT WILLIAMS

• The Ephs edged Wesleyan 3-2 in overtime on Saturday in quarterfinal action.
• Williams has captured three NESCAC titles and is looking to advance to the championship contest for the first time since 2005.
• The Ephs are third in the conference in scoring average at 2.35 goals per game.
• If Middlebury and Williams square off in the championship on Sunday, it would be the 60th meeting between the teams.
• The Panthers have won the last five contests, including a 3-0 victory in the regular-season finale in Massachusetts.
• Middlebury and Williams have played eight times in the NESCAC Tournament with each program winning four times.
• Kiki Higgins and Pilar Torres pace the Ephs with 20 points apiece, each tallying eight goals and dishing out four assists. Torres is tied for the most minutes played this season and has also recorded three defensive saves.
• Goalie Gates Tenerowicz had played every game in the cage for Williams, boasting a 1.61 goals against average and a .634 save percentage.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

• Championship weekend action will be hosted by Middlebury on Saturday, November 4 (Semifinals) and Sunday, November 5 (Championship).
• Championship Central
• NESCAC Championship Records