MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Trinity College Women's Hockey battled top-ranked Middlebury College to a 2-1 defeat in a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) matchup at Kenyon Arena Friday night. The Bantams move to 9-9 overall and 6-5 in conference, while the Panthers improve to 16-2-1 on the season with an 8-2-1 mark in the NESCAC.

Following a scoreless first period, the Panthers struck first as Cat Appleyard lit the lamp with just over three minutes remaining in the second period. Appleyard followed with another tally, a power-play goal, less than a minute later to put Middlebury ahead 2-0 entering the third period.

The Bantams cracked the scoreboard with 7:07 to play as sophomore Kate French connected with graduate Jenny Guider on a power-play strike to trim the deficit to 2-1. Middlebury goaltender Sophia Merageas denied four late shot attempts from the Bantams to prevent the Trinity comeback.

The Panthers outshot the Bantams, 23-22, while Trinity controlled the face-off circle, 23-18. Trinity sophomore goalie Maddie Carter made 21 saves, while Merageas tallied 21 saves as well.
The Bantams and Panthers will return to Kenyon Arena for the series nightcap Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

TRINITY ATHLETICS