The 10th-ranked Middlebury women's soccer team battled #3 Tufts for 90 high-spirited minutes on Saturday, but neither side was able to find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Jumbos had a quality chance 7:07 into the first half. Elsi Aries sent a left-footed bending ball that Panther goalie Livia Davidson came off her line to save.
- Middlebury had its best opportunity with 7:11 remaining in the stanza. Mia Feldman blasted a rising shot from just outside the penalty area that Jumbo goalie Gigi Edwards leapt and caught under the crossbar.
- The visitors logged a pair of opportunities in the last six minutes. The best chance came with 4:53 when Davidson smothered a knuckling bid by Emily Nicholas from 20 yards to keep it a 0-0 tally at the half.
- The Panthers manufactured a quality opportunity with 16:02 expired in the second frame. Chloe Swindle laced a left-footed attempt from the right side that Edwards dove to deny in the bottom-left corner of the goal.
- Six minutes later, Taya McClennen raced to a loose ball outside the box, directing a bid toward the left portion of the net that Edwards stopped point blank.
- Tufts continued to apply pressure with three opportunities over a six-minute span. The best came with 10:25 showing on the clock when a close-range shot by Jordyn Miller was caught by a diving Davidson on the right post.
- The Jumbos had a final bid in the 88th minute. Waverly Sumner dribbled on the right side, looping a chance toward the left side of the goal that Davidson rose and caught.
- The hosts looked for one final opportunity a minute later, but McClennen's shot from inside the box was smothered by Edwards to secure the scoreless result.
NOTES
- Davidson concluded the contest with a career-best nine saves, including six in the opening half. She also secured her fourth clean sheet of the season.
- The programs met for the 35th matchup with Middlebury holding a narrow 15-10-10 advantage in the all-time series. The result is the third draw in the last four contests between the programs.
The Panthers return to action on Saturday with their Senior Day against Bates at 11:00 a.m.