WILLIAMSTOWN, MA—Williams Field Hockey (6-8, 4-6 NESCAC) fell to Middlebury (14-0, 10-0 NESCAC) 4-0 on Tuesday night. The Panthers finish the regular season undefeated with the win.
Middlebury commanded play and pressured the Eph defense throughout the first half. The Ephs were able to stave off the Middlebury attack for much of the half led by strong defense by Jaclyn Porfilio (West Roxbury, MA) and goalie Ariana Spiliotes (Bethesda, MD) who had 8 saves in the half.
Middlebury finally broke through the Williams defense at 12:55 with a goal by Catherine Fowler off an assist by Lauren Greer. This goal opened up the game for Middlebury as Lauren Greer tallied her 100th career goal for the Panthers at 8:33 leading her team in the half ahead 2-0.
Middlebury continued to pressure the Ephs through the second half. The Panthers found the back of the goal again at 61:40 as Katherine Theiss scored off an assist by Lauren Greer to put Middlebury ahead 3-0. Middlebury closed the game with a goal from Catherine Fowler, assisted by Lauren Greer at 69:36.
Middlebury led the Ephs in shots (27-1) and penalty corners (18-3). Goalie Ariana Spiliotes had 15 saves for the Ephs, while Middlebury goalie Madeline Brooks was untested for the game.
Coach Alix Barrale had high praises for both teams. "When you play the best team in the nation there can be no lapses in your play," noted Barrale, adding that the Ephs "had a game plan and stuck to it. Despite our struggles on offense this was one of our best games this season."
NESCAC FIELD HOCKEY FINAL STANDINGS
Middlebury (10-0)
Tufts (9-1)
Bowdoin (8-2)
Trinity (7-3)
Amherst (6-4)
Williams (4-6) *
Wesleyan (4-6) *
Connecticut College (4-6) *
Colby (2-8)
Bates (1-9)
Hamilton (0-10)
TIEBREAKERS
* Williams, Wesleyan and Connecticut College all finished with 4-6 records. In head-to-head competition, all three teams went 1-1, and they each had the same number of conference wins. In results against the top four teams (Middlebury, Tufts, Bowdoin and Trinity), all three teams went 0-4. In results against the top eight teams (Middlebury, Tufts, Bowdoin, Trinity, Amherst, Williams, Wesleyan and Connecticut College), all three teams went 1-6. In comparison of results against all teams in rank order, all three teams had identical results. A random action (names were pulled out of a hat) was used to determine that Williams earned the No. 6 seed, Wesleyan earned the No. 7 seed, and Connecticut College earned No. 8 seed.
2012 NESCAC FIELD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, October 27 at Higher Seeds
Quarterfinal Games
#8 Connecticut College at #1 Middlebury – 1:00 pm
#7 Wesleyan at #2 Tufts – 1:00 pm
#6 Williams at #3 Bowdoin – 1:00 pm
#5 Amherst at #4 Trinity – 1:00 pm
