The top-ranked Middlebury women's ice hockey scored twice in the opening period en route to a 4-1 victory at Suffolk. The triumph was head coach Bill Mandigo's 675th, while Raia Schluter skated in her 100th career game.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• The Panthers looked to get on the board with 11:52 expired when Selia Coady rifled a shot from the right dot. Goalie Katelyn Michals denied the attempt and a scramble ensued in front of the crease, but the Rams were able to clear the puck away.
• Suffolk had a good chance to score at the 13:35 mark. An initial blast by Bella Schmidt from the left faceoff circle was stopped by netminder Sophia Will. Maddie Gagliano one-timed the rebound from point-blank range, but Will sprawled out to deny the attempt.
• Middlebury broke through with 14:54 expired when Cat Appleyard shoveled the loose puck through the five-hole after an initial bid from Rachel Neymand was denied by Michals. 
• The Panthers increased the advantage, making it 2-0 less than three minutes later. Kate Flynn centered the puck to Appleyard, who spun around and set Avery McInerny up with a nice one-timer for the power-play tally.
• With less than a minute remaining in the opening frame, the Rams responded, cutting the deficit in half. Lily Abraham grabbed the puck near center ice and skated into the offensive zone for a two-on-one before wristing a top-shelf shot to make it 2-1.
• Middlebury extended the lead back to two with 5:32 elapsed in the second stanza. An original shot from Olivia McManus from the top of the right face-off circle was thwarted by Michals, but Jordan Hower tipped in the loose puck into the goal for the 3-1 advantage.
• With just 26 ticks off the third-period clock, the Panthers struck again. Kylie Quinlan dug out the puck on the left boards and wristed a shot into the goal to make it 4-1.
• Middlebury nearly scored again at the 12:36 mark, but Olivia Gordon's hard shot from the slot was met by the chest of Michals.
• Suffolk had a final chance with 16:11 elapsed. Jenna Callabara fired a one-timer on a feed from Aiden Levee-Oshiro that was denied by Will as the Panthers secured the 4-1 victory.

NOTES

• Appleyard and McInerny each tallied a season-high three points (1G, 2A).
• The programs met for just the second time, as Middlebury has scored four goals in each of its wins against the Rams.

The Panthers return to NESCAC action and Chip Kenyon '85 Arena on Friday for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop against Trinity.