The 12th-ranked Middlebury women's soccer team scored Saturday's lone goal with 23:12 elapsed in the opening half and held off a late Colby comeback attempt for a 1-0 triumph.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• The Panthers looked to strike early with 3:58 gone in the first half. Mules' goalie MK Marshall punched away an initial cross from the left, but the rebound came to Fiona Linnau whose bid went over the crossbar.
• Colby manufactured a quality chance with 15:00 expired. Goalie Livia Davidson saved a rising shot by Madison Genser from inside the penalty box on the right post.
• Middlebury broke into the scoring column eight minutes later. Chloe Swindle sent a cross from the edge of the box to the head of Taya McClennen. The Panther rose and directed a shot into the back of the net with 23:12 expired for a 1-0 edge.
• The visitors looked to increase their lead in the 42nd minute, but a knuckling bid by Swindle from 12 yards was saved by Marshall under the crossbar.
• The hosts produced their best opportunity of the frame with 1:05 showing on the clock. A left-footed shot by Amanda Schneider clanged off the right post before the rebound found the feet of Catherine Watrous, whose attempt was lifted high.
• Following the break, the Mules searched for the equalizer with a trio of quality chances over 10 minutes. The best of those opportunities came following a corner kick with 15:34 expired when a header by Samantha DeWitt was directed toward the right post, but McClennen booted away the ball to keep it a 1-0 contest.
• The Panthers nearly made it a two-goal advantage with 19:31 remaining, but a left-footed shot by Carolina Espinosa soared over the bar.
• Colby continued to press forward with pressure and a flurry of bids. Davidson collected two key saves over the final five minutes. The first came off a header from Ami Vithiananthan from close range, while a knuckling chance from 25 yards by Jane Maguire was smothered by the goalie to preserve the 1-0 win.

NOTES

• The goal was McClennen's second this fall, while Swindle tallied her first point of the campaign.
• Davidson was credited with five saves in her third clean sheet of the season.
• The programs met for the 38th matchup with the Panthers holding a 28-6-4 advantage in the all-time series. 

Middlebury returns to action on Sunday with a 12:30 p.m. contest at Southern Maine.