The Middlebury women's soccer team scored three goals in the first 13:10 of Wednesday's contest with Vermont State University Castleton and cruised to a 5-0 victory over the Spartans.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• The Panthers got on the scoreboard 2:12 into the action. Fanny Lodge dribbled down the right side and ripped a rising shot into the upper-right corner for the 1-0 lead.
• Middlebury increased its advantage nine minutes later. Ella Gagnon's initial shot was saved by Castleton goalie Emma Ezzo, but the rebound fell to the foot of Lodge who tapped the ball into the right panel at the 11:05 mark.
• The hosts found the back of the net 2:05 later when Mia Feldman one-touched a pass from Gagnon just past Ezzo's fingers for the 3-0 lead.
• The Panthers continued to apply pressure for much of the second stanza. Joely Virzi dribbled toward the Spartan goal along the goal line, sending a shot into the right side for a 4-0 advantage at 68:37.
• Castleton had its best chance to get on the board in the 71st minute, as a knuckling bid from 20 yards by Becky Hannwacker was saved by Middlebury goalie Livia Davidson. 
• Two minutes later, Emmy Christopher slotted her shot into the right panel following a one-touch pass from Cate Woolsey for the final 5-0 score.

NOTES

• The goals from Christopher and Feldman were their first tallies in a Panther uniform.
• Gagnon finished the contest with a career-high two assists, while Virzi's goal was her team-leading fourth this fall.
• Davidson recorded her first career shutout in the win.
• The programs met for the 21st time with Middlebury holding a decisive 19-1-1 advantage, claiming a win in each of the last 16 contests.
• The Panthers haven't allowed a goal to the Spartans in the last 628:18 of action dating back to 2016.

Middlebury returns to NESCAC play this weekend when it hosts Bowdoin on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. followed by Bates on Sunday at the same time.