Courtesy Middlebury Athletic Communications

Box Score

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Middlebury women’s hockey team outshot Williams 47-11 on its way to a 3-1 victory over the Ephs in a NESCAC Quarterfinal game played in Kenyon Arena. The Panthers advance to the NESCAC semifinals next weekend with the site to be determined. The Ephs end their season at 8-16-1.

Middlebury threatened early as Ashley Bairos hit a pipe early before Heather McCormack’s tip of a shot from Annmarie Cellino also drew iron. The Panthers held a 19-5 lead in shots after one period, but were locked in a scoreless tie.

The Panthers and Ephs would play 18:34 of scoreless action in the second period before the Panthers broke on the board with a goal from Cellino. McCormack sent in a puck that Cellino finished off for her ninth of the year after a scramble.

Williams tied the game 5:00 into the third period as Jacqueline Berglass and Tracey Ferriter worked a two-on-one with Berglass netting her third of the season. Middlebury regained the lead just 2:34 later when Maggie Melberg tipped in a shot from the left side by McCormack. The Panthers gained some breathing room at the 16:05 mark as McCormack scored after a shot was sent in from the point by Marjie Billings.

Alexi Bloom made 10 saves in goal to earn the win, while Sara Plunkett made 44 stops for the Ephs.