MIDDLEBURY  — The Middlebury College women’s lacrosse team defeated visiting Colby on Saturday, 12-2, and the Panthers, 13-1 overall and 8-1 in NESCAC play, were set to visit Williams on Wednesday with a chance to overtake Trinity for first place in NESCAC.
While the Panthers were facing the Ephs (5-9, 2-7 NESCAC), Trinity (8-1 NESCAC, 12-2 overall) was hosting third-place Amherst (7-2 NESCAC, 11-2 overall). If the Panthers won and Amherst knocked off Trinity, Middlebury will own the top seed throughout the league tournament. If Trinity won, the Bantams will be the No. 1 seed, courtesy of their earlier win over Middlebury, and the Panthers will be the second seed, courtesy of their earlier win over Amherst.
Heading into this past weekend’s games, Middlebury was ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division III, Trinity No. 7, Amherst No. 8 and Colby (11-3, 6-3 NESCAC) No. 10.
Colby scored first vs. Middlebury on Saturday, but the Panthers answered with a 6-0 run with two goals from Megan Griffin and one apiece from Bridget Instrum, Chrissy Ritter, Alli Sciarretta and Hollis Perticone. Colby snapped the streak with 7:19 remaining in the first half before Bea Eppler became the sixth Panther to score in first 30 minutes and made it 7-2 at the break.
 The Panthers held the Mules scoreless after intermission, as starting goalie Katie Mandigo (5-1) made three saves in 45 minutes, and Madeleine Kinker did not face a shot in the final 15 minutes. Ritter, Mary O’Connell, Sciarretta, Instrum and Laurel Pascal added goals.            
Sciarretta added a game-high three assists and Griffin dished out two helpers. Instrum contributed three caused turnovers, three draw controls and three ground balls, while Delaina Smith chipped in with three ground balls and Henley Hall controlled three draws. Two Colby goalies combined for seven saves as the Panthers held a 24-8 edge in shots at goals. They dominated draw controls, 13-3.