Box Score

Middlebury, Vt.-- The 12th ranked Middlebury College field hockey team handed #3 Skidmore its first loss of the season, 3-1 in a non-league game Tuesday night.

The loss leaves the Thoroughbreds 8-1, while the Panthers improve to 3-2.

Skidmore had a pair of penalty corners in the first 20 minutes, but could not capitalize. The Panthers struck 23:44 into the game, with Hannah Clarke netting her first of the season. Lauren Greer carried the ball 50 yards down the field in transition, drawing two defenders as she neared the goal. Greer quickly slid a pass to her left to Clarke, who ripped a shot  into the back of the cage.
           
Just 2:30 into the second half, the Panthers had another great opportunity as Greer found Clarke in a situation similar to the first half goal.  Skidmore goalie Haley McDougall made the save, getting help from teammate Jackie Slocombe, who made a defensive save on Clarke's follow-up attempt.
           
Middlebury made it a 2-0 game when Charlotte Gardiner earned her third of the year at the 39:33 mark. Greer sent a shot in that tipped a defender's stick, before finding its way to Gardiner for the finish.

McDougall denied Greer's attempt for a second goal in the 49th minute, coming out to make a save as she stacked her pads. The Skidmore keeper again received some defensive help at 51:30, when Ellen Kolman earned a defensive save on a shot from Catherine Fowler.
           
Skidmore got on the board at the 55:26 mark with Caylyn's Sullivan's first of the year. Slocombe sent a pass into the circle, that Sullivan finished with a sweeping motion to make it a 2-1 game. The Thoroughbreds rode momentum for the next 10 minutes, but could not tie the game despite a pair of penalty corners.
           
Middlebury sealed the game with 2:43 remaining when Greer connected on a reverse stick shot high into the cage after taking a feed from Alyssa DiMaio.

"When Caylyn Sullivan scored from Jackie Slocombe to make it 2-1, it appeared that the we had found our rhythm, but it was not to be." said Skidmore coach Beth Hallenbeck.  "We couldn't produce the equalizer and Midd scored a late goal to make it a 3-1.  We had excellent play from defender Annie Weis, solid midfield contributions from Hilary Cranston,  Sullivan and Slocombe, and hustle and determination up front from Kelly Blackhurst."
       
Middlebury held a 17-7 shots advantage in the game, while Skidmore held a 6-4 edge in penalty corners. Becca Shaw finished the contest with four saves to earn the win, while McDougall made 10 stops for Skidmore.