The Middlebury field hockey team earned a 4-2 road win at #13 Amherst (2-2, 0-3) on Saturday afternoon. The sixth-ranked Panthers (4-0, 3-0) scored the final three goals of the game en route to the win. Middlebury returns to action Sunday when it hosts Hamilton at 1:00 p.m.

Middlebury was first to strike with Pam Schulman recording her team-leading fourth goal of the season just 3:24 into play. In the first Panther corner of the matchup, Caroline Knapp inserted the ball to Shannon Hutteman, who found the open Schulman on the top left of the circle. Seizing the opportunity, Schulman sent a low, hard shot toward the net that ultimately snuck by Amherst goaltender Emily Horwtiz on her right side.

Responding almost immediately, Annika Nygren was able to find the back of the goal for Amherst just 28 seconds later to even the contest at 1-1. Following consecutive saves by Middlebury netminder Emily Miller, a clearing attempt by the Panther defense was intercepted by Mary Grace Cronin near the top of the circle. Sending the subsequent pass to the right side, Cronin connected with Nygren who took a one-touch shot to beat Miller short side.

The remaining 31 minutes of the first half proved to be scoreless, with both teams featuring strong defensive play and timely goaltending.

Opening the second half in a similar fashion to the first, it was only 35 seconds before the Purple & White notched the second and final score of the outing. In the right place at the right time, Nygren redirected the shot of Caroline Feeley past Miller and into the goal.

Middlebury’s Grace Jennings leveled the score in the 41st minute. In an individual effort, Jennings broke past the Amherst backline and tallied the tying score after her well-placed shot beat Horwitz.

The Panthers notched the game-winner three minutes later, as Knapp corralled the rebound from a shot by Anna Kenyon and blasted it into the back of the goal.

Despite Amherst’s sustained offensive pressure, after roughly 23 minutes of scoreless action Middlebury increased its lead to two with three minutes remaining in the game. Knapp recorded the insurance tally for her second of the game.

Amherst held a slim shots advantage 16-14, while Middlebury edged the Purple & White in corners, 9-5. Horwitz recorded five saves for Amherst, while Miller finished the game with nine saves in the winning effort.