MIDDLEBURY — After a rare opening loss on March 2, the Middlebury College women’s lax team bounced back with a pair of big home wins this past weekend. 
The 2-1 Panthers, ranked No. 6 last week in NCAA Division III, will next play at league foe Wesleyan on Saturday.
On this past Saturday the Panthers bolted to an 11-0 first-half lead on the way to a 16-3 victory over visiting league foe Connecticut (1-2). 
Senior attacker Emma McDonagh led the offense with five goals and an assist and surpassed 150 career points (112 goals and 42 assists). 
Emily Barnard chipped in three goals, Jane Earley scored twice, and nine Panthers scored in all. Erin Nicholas finished with three ground balls and three caused turnovers and scored a goal, while Casey O’Neill (goal) and Henley Hall each controlled four draws. Kate Bermingham scored twice for the Camels, who received nine saves from Nina Fazio. Julia Keith (four saves) and Kate Furber (three saves) each played a half in goal for Middlebury.
PANTHER FRESHMAN FORWARD Lily Riseberg comes around the goal and tucks the ball past Connecticut College goalie Nina Fazio to score one of Middlebury’s 11 first-half goals in Saturday’s 16-3 win.
Independent photo/Steve James
Nine players also scored for Middlebury in their 16-1 win over Springfield (3-2) on Friday afternoon. 
Kate Zecca finished with three goals and two assists to pace the Panthers, while Earley, Nicholas, Jenna McNicholas, Kirsten Murphy and Madeline Riordan each scored twice. Emma White scooped four ground balls and caused three turnovers.
Keith made one save in the first half for Middlebury, while Furber made a pair of second-half stops. Brenna Keefe finished with six saves for Springfield.