MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Junior forward Demarest Janis (Cos Cob, Conn.) scored the game-winning goal with 6:50 remaining in the fourth quarter to lead the visiting Trinity College Bantams to a 2-1 victory over the undefeated and top-ranked Middlebury College Panthers in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) field hockey action this afternoon at Kohn Field.  Trinity, ranked No. 7 nationally, hands the Panthers their first loss since 2019 (42 games) and their first home setback since 2017 (51 games).  The Bantams, now 11-2 overall and 6-2 in the NESCAC, host No. 11-ranked Williams next Saturday at noon in their next game.  Middlebury drops to 12-1 overall and 7-1 in the league.

The first quarter saw neither team muster many scoring chances. The Panthers had the best opportunity with 10:38 elapsed, but Lilly Branka's lofted shot sailed just above the crossbar.  The Bantams grabbed a 1-0 edge 1:32 into the second stanza. Sophomore back Izzy Deveney (Westport, Conn.) ripped a shot from the left side after a penalty corner that tucked inside the right side of the cage for the early lead.  Senior midfielder Riley Nichols (Austin, Texas) provided an assist on the play.  Middlebury leveled the score at 1-1 with 4:34 showing on the clock before halftime. Amy Griffin ripped a reverse sweep from the left side, tucking the ball inside the right post while the Panthers were a player down.

The third stanza was played mainly in the midfield. Trinity junior goalie Olivia McMichael (Glenside, Pa.) made a clutch save with her right pad against Middlebury's Caroline Segal  right pad with 1:22 left.
Trinity regained the lead for good 8:10 into the final quarter. The Bantams collected a loose ball outside the circle and sent a ball driving toward the Middlebury cage. After players from both teams battled for possession, the ball squirted to the left to Janis, who snuck her shot into the left side for the one-goal edge. The Panthers looked for the equalizer in the final minutes, earning five penalty corners in the final 1:08, but couldn't find the back of the cage.  McMichael finished up with five saves.

"I am so proud of every Bantam field hockey player today," said Trinity Head Coach Anne Parmenter.  "Both current and past who supported this incredible effort. It was insane."