Lauryn Torch allowed no goals last week in 290 minutes of play and was named the NESCAC Player of the Week.
Women's Soccer Goes Unbeaten
September 22, 2008
The Middlebury College women's soccer team picked up its third straight shutout as they finished in a scoreless tie with Skidmore on Dragone Field. The Panthers have not let up a goal in their last 309 minutes of play as they move to 2-3-2 on the year. Skidmore moves to 6-1-1 after a win over Smith on Saturday.
Middlebury had the upper hand for much of the first half, holding an 8-4 advantage in shots. A header from Middlebury junior Nora Tomlinson-Weintraub (Burlingame, Calif.) sailed just over the crossbar in the 13th minute, while Middlebury sophomore Lauryn Torch (Bronxville, N.Y.) made a diving save on Abby Benton in the 23rd minute of play.
The Panthers had a few more first half chances, but went into the intermission at 0-0. Middlebury opened the second half with pressure, as Skidmore battled back with some quality chances of their own in the final 15 minutes of play.
The best chance to score in the overtime periods came with 7:20 left to play in the game. Skidmore's Benton took a shot from the left wing that hit the far post and deflected back into play. A follow-up attempt was blocked by a Middlebury defender as the Panthers were able to clear.
Torch ended the game with eight saves to lower her GAA to 0.84 with three shutouts on the year. Sleezer ended the contest with seven saves for the Thoroughbreds.
Middlebury took a 1-0 lead over Wesleyan at the 17:16 mark as junior Valerie Christy (LaJolla, Calif.) sent in a high cross on a corner kick play. Junior Jenny Galgano (Wyckoff, N.J.) converted the pass with a shot to the upper corner to give the Panthers a 1-0 advantage. The Panthers continued to pressure for the remainder of the half, but some nice saves by Wesleyan's Gavi Elkind kept it a 1-0 game.
The Panthers broke through again in the second half as Tomlinson-Weintraub gathered a long crossing pass from sophomore Drew Smith (Silver Spring, Md.). She then quickly turned and fired a shot into the far corner to double the Panther lead.
Middlebury continued to control the pace of the game, ending the contest with a 12-5 advantage in shots. Torch made just two saves in goal to earn her second consecutive shutout. Elkind made five saves in 45 minutes for the Cardinals, while Andrea Giuliano made one stop in the second half.
Middlebury picked up its first win of the season during the week as the Panthers scored twice in the second half to earn a 2-0 victory over Keene State.
Following a scoreless first half, Tomlinson-Weintraub put the Panthers on the board just 2:17 into the second half, with a line drive rocket from 18 yards out. Senior Ashley Pfaff (Charlotte, Vt.) had a great chance to double the lead in the 59th minute, but her shot from the left wing hit the far post. Galgano gave the Panthers some breathing room at 70:34 with a hard shot from the top of the box that sailed over the head of Keene goalkeeper Megan Dempsey (5 saves). Torch made four saves in goal to pick up the shutout victory for the Panthers.
. Women's soccer record: 2-3-2
. Up next: 9/27 @ Colby - 11:00
