The top-ranked Middlebury Panthers spent two full periods firing shots on Hamilton College’s Jen Kroleski before finally breaking through early in the third to earn a 3-0 win over the Continentals in NESCAC action.
While Middlebury struggled to get the puck past Kroleski all afternoon, the Panther attack kept her busy, putting 39 shots on the Hamilton goalie. Kroleski used a good glove hand to keep the Panthers at bay until 20 seconds into the third period, as the only Middlebury power play of the day allowed Kristin Reid to score her second goal of the season for a 1-0 lead.
Hamilton’s best pressure all afternoon came early in the third on a scrum in front of the net, with several Hamilton players unable to poke home the puck for the equalizer until Middlebury goalie Kati Madouros covered it safely.
At 6:15 of the third, Middlebury doubled the lead, as defenseman Catherine Elkins broke in with rookie Meghan Stone on a 2-on-1 breakaway. Elkins fed Stone the puck across the slot, and Stone buried it in the back of the net for her first career goal.
Just 40 seconds later, Erin Neil brought the puck into the zone to the left of Kroleski, but unable to beat the defender passed back to twin sister Amber Neil, who was trailing in the slot. Amber Neil received the puck right in front of the net and easily put it away for the final 3-0 margin.
The Panther attack continued to press but Kroleski held, putting in a strong effort with 36 saves in the game. Madouros faced five shots in the game, stopping each to earn an the shutout win, the fifth of her career.
Middlebury now stands at 2-0 in the NESCAC, having gone unbeaten in its past 114 league games, while Hamilton drops to 0-2 on the season.
