MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury College women’s lacrosse team improved to 4-0 with a pair of recent wins. The Panthers were ranked No. 4 in NCAA Division III in Monday’s poll. The Panthers will host No. 17 Wesleyan (3-0) this Saturday at noon.
On this past Saturday the Panthers coasted past host Connecticut, 12-2. The Camels dropped to 1-2, 0-2 NESCAC.
The Panthers opened Saturday’s game with a 5-0 run in which Emma McDonagh recorded two goals and two assists. After a Camel score, goals by Georgia Carroll and McDonagh made it 7-1 at the half.
The Panthers then opened the second half with another 5-0 run, with Kristen Murphy netting two goals and an assist.
The Panthers outshot the Camels, 33-15, and earned a 26-16 advantage in ground balls.
Murphy finished with two goals and four assists. Emily Barnard and McDonagh (two assists) each netted a hat trick. Alex White scooped up six ground balls and caused five turnovers, while Evie Keating caused four turnovers and gathered four ground balls. In goal for the Panthers, Julia Keith made nine saves. Camel goalie Meghan Mullin made 14 stops.
On Monday Middlebury won its home opener, 15-3, over St. Lawrence (1-1). The Panthers led at the break, 5-1, and then pulled away in the second half by amassing decisive advantages in shots (45-15) and draw controls (12-4), including a 9-3 advantage after the break.
McDonagh paced the Panthers with two goals and three assists, Carroll had three goals and a helper, while Hollis Perticone scored three times and controlled five draws. Barnard and Jena McNicholas each scored twice and added an assist. Keating scooped five ground balls and caused five turnovers. Keith made nine saves in goal and picked up four ground balls, while Saints goalie Sophie Cardenali stopped 20 shots.