
The Middlebury women's soccer team scored once in each half and used a resilient defense to record a 2-0 NESCAC road win at Wesleyan on Saturday. The second-ranked Panthers (2-0, 1-0) have a quick turnaround, hosting Wheaton on Sunday in a 12:00 p.m. start.
Wesleyan (0-1, 0-1) opened the game with a strong push, earning four corner kicks in the initial 10 minutes. Middlebury held the Cardinals at bay, as keeper Ursula Alwang went to her right for a save on a shot from inside the penalty area by Gianna Argento on the last of those opportunities.
Middlebury broke the scoreless tie with 3:32 before the half, as Rose Evans used a long ball from near midfield into the far-right corner. Simone Ameer collected the pass and quickly chipped a shot over a charging Cardinal keeper Sarah Hammond for her second tally in as many games.
Just under five minutes into the second stanza, Argento had a shot from point-blank range for the hosts that Alwang smothered. Moments later, Wesleyan's Audrey Lavey drove to the Middlebury net from the left side and fired a shot from close range that Alwang turned aside.
Middlebury secured the win with just over 10 minutes remaining, as Ellie Greenberg ran onto a through ball by Virginia Charman and tucked a shot into the right side of the net for a two-goal cushion.
In goal for the Panthers, Alwang notched five saves to earn the shutout, while Hammond also had five stops for the Cardinals.
Wesleyan held a slim 11-10 edge in shots, but boasted a 13-1 margin in corner kicks.