LEWISTON, Maine — The Middlebury College field hockey team outlasted host Bates on Saturday, 4-2, to push its record to 11-2, 7-2 in NESCAC play. The Panthers were ranked No. 4 in last week’s NCAA Division III poll. Bates dropped to 4-8, 1-7 NESCAC.
Middlebury outshot Bates, 23-7, and put 20 of its 23 shot attempts on goal as Bates goalkeeper Becca Otley posted 16 saves. Middlebury’s Emily Knapp made three saves. The Panthers also earned 16 penalty corners to Bates’ four.
The Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the first 21 minutes on goals by Catherine Fowler and Elinore O’Brien, assisted by Fowler. Bates cut the lead to 2-1 at the half on a Lexie Carter penalty corner strike.
Middlebury regained a two-goal advantage at 24:30 or the second half, when Fowler scored from the top of the circle on a penalty corner, after a setup by Alyssa DiMaio and O’Brien.
With eight minutes to go, Caroline Falcone scored during a scramble on another Bates penalty corner to narrow the gap to 3-2.
Middlebury added an insurance goal with 3:15 to go, when Katherine Theiss converted Pam Schulman’s assist on another penalty corner.
Middlebury returns to action on Saturday at Wesleyan.