Middlebury overcame an early 3-1 deficit en route to a 16-12 victory over Bates in the season-opener for both teams on Friday night in Lewiston, Maine. The game was rescheduled from Saturday afternoon to avoid inclement weather in the region. The third-ranked and seven-time NESCAC champions start their season 1-0 and return home to face Connecticut College next Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 3-1 in the first half, the Panthers rattled off seven straight goals for an 8-3 advantage. Both teams tacked on a pair of goals as Middlebury entered intermission with a 10-5 lead.

In the second half, the Bobcats cut the lead to 12-10 and 13-11, but the Panthers responded with key tallies late in the game by Katherine Entwiste and Mimi Schatz to preserve the victory.

Entwistle led Middlebury with four goals, while Schatz, Sally Ryan and Amanda Smith netted three apiece. Bates was paced by Caroline Thomas' four goals. Panther goalie Blair Bowie made seven saves on the night, as Katie Nickerson stopped 13 shots for the Bobcats.

2008-03-08