The #1 Middlebury field hockey team raced past Skidmore on Wednesday, scoring two goals in the first quarter and adding three more in the second, on its way to a 6-0 victory over the Thoroughbreds on a rain-soaked Peter Kohn Field.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• The Panthers got on the scoreboard with 7:22 elapsed in the opening frame. After an initial shot was saved by Skidmore goalie Victoria Bodnar, Lilly Branka collected the rebound and blasted her attempt into the left side for a 1-0 lead.
• Middlebury increased its advantage nearly four minutes later when Caroline Segal scored just inside the post on a nifty pass from Branka.
• The hosts pushed their edge to 3-0 at the 4:47 mark of the second stanza. Katherine Lantzy drove into the circle, firing a pass to Georgianne Defeo, who lifted the ball into the goal for her seventh tally of the season.
• The Panthers manufactured a pair of goals 3:13 apart, started by Caroline Haggerty who tipped in a cross off the stick of Amy Griffin with 9:03 expired. Defeo recorded her second of the contest on a rebound for a 5-0 lead with 2:44 remaining in the half. 
• Following the break, Skidmore produced a solid scoring opportunity at the 4:13 mark. Colby Paul collected a pass on the left side of the circle, firing a pair of quick shots that Middlebury goalie Thea Rosenzweig saved using her pads to maintain the five-goal advantage.
• Five minutes later, the Panthers made it 6-0 following a penalty corner. Emily Stone ripped a bid from the left side that slid inside the left post with 5:05 showing on the clock.
• The Thoroughbreds looked to get in the scoring column in the final minute of the third stanza after a penalty corner, but a shot by Margaret Heim was denied by Rosenzweig.
• Skidmore pressed to break up the shutout, as CC Wetter corralled a loose ball with 7:08 left in the offensive zone and raced toward the cage. Middlebury goalie Madeline DiLemme kicked aside Wetter's attempt to preserve the 6-0 final score.

NOTES

• Defeo has scored a goal in five-straight contests and tied her career high with two tallies during Wednesday's triumph.
• Segal has posted at least one point in six of the seven games this fall.
• Griffin's assist in the second quarter was the 40th of her career.
• The Panther defense has put together three-consecutive shutouts, not allowing a goal in the last 235:52 of action.
• The programs played for the 52nd time with Middlebury owning a 45-7 record in the all-time series and winning the last 10 contests. 

The Panthers return to NESCAC action on Saturday, hosting Connecticut College at 11:00 a.m.