The #6 Middlebury women's ice hockey team trailed 1-0 in the second period, but responded with two-consecutive goals and hung on for the 2-1 victory. With the win, the Panthers completed a weekend sweep over the Bantams to start the season, having blanked Trinity 3-0 on Friday night.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Both teams had power-play opportunities in the opening minutes, but neither team was able to capitalize.
• The Bantams struck first with 1:51 expired in the middle frame with an extra skater. Jenny Guider redirected an initial blast from the top of the right faceoff circle by Annika Dyczkowski to make it 1-0.
• Middlebury responded at the 4:57 mark with Trinity serving a penalty. Cat Appleyard had a pair of bids turned away by goalie Annabel Merkel, but Appleyard persisted and flipped the second rebound over the left shoulder of Merkel to knot the contest 1-1.
• The Panthers continued to pressure offensively, taking advantage of another power play to grab a 2-1 edge. Liv Fernandez sent a quick pass on the right circle toward the slot, which Appleyard connected with, ripping her one-time slap shot into the back of the goal. 
• With just under five minutes remaining, both teams had a pair of quality chances. The Bantams attempted first when Dyczkowski sent a pass from behind the goal to Kate French in between the circles, but netminder Sophia Will was ready and thwarted French's close-range bid.
• Jordan Hower looked to increase the Middlebury lead just seconds later, poking a loose puck into the net after a scramble in the crease, but the officials waved off the goal.
• Trinity peppered the Panther net in the final period, but Will denied all nine shots sent her way. The best chance for the Bantams to tally the equalizer came with 6:59 left in the game. Paige Kehoe came from the right side and flipped the puck onto her forehand, rifling a shot from point-blank range, but Will sprawled out to deny the opportunity.
• Trinity pulled its goalie in favor of the extra skater, but Middlebury held on for the 2-1 triumph. 

NOTES

• Will made 25 saves in goal for the Panthers, including nine over the final period.
• Appleyard finished the weekend with three goals, while her two tallies tonight tied a career-high in a single game. 

 
Middlebury continues its road stretch when it travels to Vermont State University Castleton on Tuesday for a 4:00 p.m. puck drop. The squad returns home on Saturday, November 25 to host the two-day Panther/Cardinal Classic.