The first third of the game went scoreless as the teams battled back and forth, with both teams looking as if they could strike at any moment. In the 37th minute, Middlebury first year midfielder Margaret Owen (Bozeman, Mont.) broke the tie with a full volley off a Nora Tomlinson Weintraub corner kick. The well hit volley soared over the Colby keeper’s hand for the first goal of the game.

Coming out of halftime, the run of play was dominated by the Panthers, who tacked on their second goal in the 54th minute when senior tri-captain Kim Walker (Ridgewood, N.J.) knocked home a loose ball in front of the goal. The build-up to the second Middlebury goal was very pretty, as sophomore Ashley Pfaff (Charlotte, Vt.) slid a bouncing ball in front to Walker who timed a quick run to the goal line, where she met the ball for the insurance tally.

The game turned somewhat physical in the final third as the Middlebury foul count ran up to 19, but no cards where issued. Middlebury goalie Adele Plunkett (Austin, Texas) posted the shutout, turning away a few Colby shots, while the White Mules keeper, Liza Benson (Orchid, Fla.) was kept busy, having to make 6 saves on the day.

Middlebury advances to face host Amherst College at Hitchcock Field tomorrow, Sunday November 5, 2006 at noon.