The #19 Middlebury women's soccer team scored two goals in the first 11 minutes of action to ease past Bates 2-0 on Saturday. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Panthers got on the board with 43 ticks off the clock when Joely Virzi raced down the pitch with the ball before passing to Carolina Espinosa in front of the net. Espinosa one-timed a shot over the outstretched hands of Bobcat goalie Ruby Reimann to give Middlebury the early 1-0 lead.
• Just under 10 minutes later, the Panthers struck again. Virzi controlled the ball down the field again and found Peyton Pettiford-Rowan up the field. Pettiford-Rowan found Gigi Day, whose bid from 18 yards out blasted by Reimann for the 2-0 advantage.
• With 31:27 expired, Bates manufactured its first scoring chance when Gabby Monaco ripped a shot on net, but Middlebury goalie Sydney Poppinga made a clutch save to smother her attempt. 
• Exactly one minute later, Sophia Cole looked to extend the Panther lead, but her shot from outside the box was punched away by Reimann.
• The Panthers had another scoring opportunity when Day took a header shot during the 51st minute, but her bid sailed just above the crossbar. 
• With 67:43 elapsed, Day fired another attempt that rang off the crossbar and bounced away.
• Middlebury threatened again at the 69:51 mark. Lucy Patton ripped a shot that Reimann jumped up to hit away.
• Olivia Irwin-Pokorny looked to get on the score sheet when she rifled a shot from 20 yards out, but Reimann thwarted the attempt in the 82nd minute.
• The Bobcats attempted to cut the Panther lead in half with 83:23 expired when Lily Houser took a shot from the top of the box, but her bid sailed into the hands of Poppinga as Middlebury preserved the 2-0 shutout. 

NOTES

• Espinosa recorded her first career goal in the win. 
• Day recorded her fourth goal of the season.
• Poppinga tallied her 10th career shutout. 
• Middlebury has won 17 of the last 18 contests against Bates.

The Panthers conclude their regular season on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. with a home match against Williams.