The Middlebury women's soccer team logged its third consecutive clean sheet on Saturday, using a first-half tally from
Mariana Rode to secure a 1-0 win over Trinity from the Allan Dragone Track & Field Complex.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The hosts nearly struck first with 7:31 elapsed. Taya McClennen settled a pass from Chloe Swindle and bent a shot toward the upper-left corner, but it sailed just over the crossbar.
- The Panthers broke through in the 16th minute. Suzanna Fee delivered a ball from the corner kick area, and Rode beat Trinity goalkeeper Zoe Tamborello to it, tucking it into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
- Caroline Kelliher had a chance to pull the Bantams even with 25:55 left in the first half. She found space at the top of the box and fired a shot that missed by inches over the crossbar.
- Fee tested Tamborello from 18 yards out in the 30th minute, but the Trinity keeper tracked the shot and gathered it for the save. The final 15 minutes carried on without strong opportunities, bringing a 1-0 score into the intermission.
- Sophia Simmons went looking for the equalizer 2:59 into the second half. Her shot toward the lower-right corner was smothered by Middlebury goalkeeper Aubrey Silvestri.
- Swindle nearly doubled the Panther lead with 38:58 remaining. She one-timed a feed from Mia Feldman that skimmed the crossbar and went out of play.
- Alexandra Lieberman found a quality look in the 58th minute, but her attempt slid less than a ball's width outside the left post.
- Simmons tried to spark the Bantams with just under 15 minutes to play, sending a roller toward the left post, but Silvestri raced off her line to scoop it up.
- In the 82nd minute, McClennen's quick strike from the right side was turned away by Tamborello.
- Trinity earned a corner kick with 2:30 remaining, but the Middlebury defense clamped down to close out the 1-0 victory.
NOTES
- Rode logged her third goal of the campaign, while Fee recorded her second assist.
- Middlebury improved to 25-8-5 in the all-time series against Trinity.
The Panthers begin a two-match road trip on Wednesday, traveling to face Vermont State University Castleton at 6:00 p.m.
