MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury College women’s soccer team picked up two home shutout wins as the Panthers’ regular season concluded, including a Tuesday upset of previously undefeated Williams, the No. 3 ranked team in NCAA Division III. The Panthers are on a 10-game unbeaten streak (9-0-1).
With an overall record of 11-2-2 (6-2-2 in NESCAC play), the Panthers have not been ranked, but were the fourth team listed as receiving votes out of the top 25. They will enter the NESCAC tournament as the No. 3 seed and host a quarterfinal on Saturday; a win in that game could vault Middlebury into the rankings.
Games played on Wednesday after the deadline for this edition of the Independent determined the Panthers’ Saturday foe and the game time. Williams (13-1-1, 8-1-1), barring an upset on Saturday, will host the NESCAC final four on Nov. 4 and 5.
On Tuesday, with 7:21 to go, Anna Glovin knocked a 20-yard free kick off Eph goalie Whitney Lincoln’s hands, off the underside of the upper right crossbar and in.
That strike, Glovin’s first in college, stood up as the game’s only goal as Middlebury upset the Ephs, 1-0, despite being outshot, 24-7. Panther goalie Ursula Alwang made a career-high 13 saves. As time wound down Eph Victoria Liano’s close-range shot from the right side sailed just wide, and Janie DeVito blocked a shot near the penalty stripe.
In the first half, Eph Alison Lu hit the left post, and Panther Ellie Greenberg nearly broke in alone but was defended on a physical play.
In the second half Alwang dove to stop a header from Natalie Turner-Wyatt and punched away a Sarah Kelly scoring bid. Alwang extended a personal scoreless streak to 395:54. Lincoln made two saves for the Ephs.
On Saturday the Panthers blanked Bates, 5-0. The Panthers outshot the Bobcats (7-7-1, 3-6-1) got two goals apiece from Virginia Charman and Greenberg, a goal and an assist from Sabrina Glaser, and assists from Alex Barber and Amanda Dafonte. Charman’s first goal, from Glaser, gave Middlebury the lead 2:31 into the game.
Alwang made one save in the opening half in goal for the Panthers, while Eva Shaw made two stops in the final 45 minutes. Sarah McCarthy made four saves for the Bobcats.
   MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE SOPHOMORE Virginia Charman controls the ball during Tuesday’s game against Williams. Middlebury won the game, 1-0.
Independent photo/Trent Campbell