Middlebury Wins Third-Straight Women's Lacrosse Championship

Courtesy Middlebury Athletic Communications

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Middlebury extended its winning streak to 48 games by winning the NESCAC Championship for the third consecutive year. The Panthers scored six unanswered goals in the second half to rally from two goals down to pick up the 9-5 win. Middlebury, which has won the last two and four of the last six NCAA titles, will makes its 10th straight trip to the NCAA Tournament when pairings are announced Sunday night. Amherst stands at 14-2, with a great shot at an at-large bid to the tourney.

Amherst came out strong as they took a 3-0 lead with 9:22 remaining in the first half. Kristin Hanley put Middlebury on the board at 5:21, only to have the Jeffs take a 4-1 lead with 3:25 left in the half on a goal from Abby Ouimet. The Panthers answered with just 2:39 left in the half as Katie Simpson made it a 4-2 game at the intermission.

Middlebury cut the lead to 4-3 at the 24:49 mark, only to have Ouimet answer with 17:24 left in the game. Unfortunately for Amherst, that would be their final goal of the game. The Panthers turned up the offense and ran off six straight goals in the gaem's final 16:55 to earn the 9-5 win. Char Glessner tied the game at five on a free position shot at the 15:13 mark. Hanley made two great feeds to rookies Allison Perencevich and Elizabeth Renehan to give Middlebury a 7-5 lead at the 11:32 mark. Glessner closed the game's scoring with a pair of free position goals at 7:16 and 4:42 to seal the win.

Glessner led Middlebury with three goals, while Hanley had two goals and two assists. Ouimet paced the Jeffs with a pair of goals.

2003 NESCAC WOMEN'S LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round - Sunday, April 27 at Higher Seeds
at No. 2 Amherst 15, No. 7 Wesleyan 9
at No. 3 Williams 10, No. 6 Trinity 4
at No. 4 Colby 11, No. 5 Bowdoin 7

Semifinals - Saturday, May 3 at Middlebury
at No. 1 Middlebury 13, No. 4 Colby 3
No. 2 Amherst 11, vs. No. 3 Williams 9

Championship - Sunday, May 4 at Middlebury
at No. 1 Middlebury 9, No. 2 Amherst 5