SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—Down 1-0 at the half, defending national champion Middlebury College scored five second half goals to defeat Skidmore College 5-1 in field hockey action Wednesday afternoon at Wagner Park.
 
The Thoroughbreds are 3-5, while the #1 ranked Panthers are 8-0 and have won 24 straight games dating back to last season.
 
Skidmore's defense withstood a first half Middlebury surge behind six saves by starting goalie Elizabeth Coughlin in the first 21 minutes.
 
The Thoroughbreds worked out a penalty corner for its first scoring opportunity in the 23^rd minute. Marissa Folts moved the ball into the box and placed a pass to Mariah Redler who redirected the ball high into the cage for a 1-0 lead at 22:25.
 
The Panthers continued to attack, but Skidmore kept them off the board for the remainder of the half to keep the 1-0 advantage.
 
Middlebury came out hard after the break, scoring two quick goals off penalty corners to take a 2-1 lead. Molly Freeman scored in front off a quick pass from Erin Nichols at 36:23 to tie it.  Emma Johns made it 2-1 1:24 later when she tapped in a pass from Isabel Chandler.
 
Danielle Brown collected her own pass that was deflected back to her, chipping it in from two yards out for a 3-1 lead at 49:01. Grace Jennings forced a midfield turnover and scored on a breakaway at 56:04. Erin Hogan converted a penalty stroke at 62:03 for the 5-1 final.
 
Coughlin had 13 saves over the first 56:09. Jess Gaetgens stopped two shots of 5:54 and Madeleine Carre didn't face a shot over the final 7:57.
 
Skidmore returns to Liberty League play on Sept. 29 at Vassar College in a 1 p.m. contest.