For Release: March 17, 2008

WOMEN’S SWIM TEAM PLACES SEVENTH AT NCAA’S

The Middlebury College women’s swimming and diving team turned in an impressive seventh place finish at the 2008 NCAA Championships. NESCAC schools claimed several top honors on the weekend, with Amherst placing second and Williams coming in fifth. Senior Marika Ross (Shorewood, Wis.) won her fourth NCAA title in her career, defending her 200 fly event with a time of 2:01.49. Ross was just .64 seconds from winning the 100 fly crown, finishing in second place with a time of 55.72. Both performances earned Ross All-American honors.

A pair of Middlebury relay teams also both earned All-American status, the 200 and 400 free relay squads. The team comprised of Ross, senior Pam Chatikavanij (Bangkok, Thailand), sophomore Katie Remington (Madison, Wis.) and first-year swimmer Emily McDonald (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) placed fourth in the 400 with a time of 3:29.40, while coming in seventh in the 200 (1:36.82).

Seven other Middlebury swimmers earned honorable mention All-American honors, with top 16 finishes. Senior diver Alanna Hanson (Golden Bridge, N.Y.) came in 11^th place in both the 1M (396.30) and 3M (412.55) events, while sophomore Kate Soja (Sudbury, Mass.) came in 13^th in the 200 fly (2:08.33). Senior Sara Cowie (N. Palm Beach, Fla.) was the other top individual, placing 16^th in the 1,650 free (17:35.11).

The 200 medley relay team comprised of Chatikavanij, junior Catherine Suppan (Burlington, Vt.) and first-year racers Annie Friedlander (Deephaven, Minn.) and Jessie Ward (Pittsford, N.Y.) finished 10^th in 1:47.88. Also placing 10^th with a time of 3:56.51 in the 400 medley relay were Suppan, Ross, McDonald and senior Katie Chambers (Annapolis, Md.). Middlebury’s 800 free relay team placed ninth in 7:42.73, with members Ross, McDonald, Chambers and Cowie.
• end of season

Middlebury College indoor track athlete Alexandra Krieg (Wellesley, Mass.) was impressive at the NCAA Indoor Track Championships at Ohio Northern University. The junior earned All-American honors with a sixth place finish in the 5,000 with a time of 17:25.11.
• end of indoor season

WOMEN’S HOCKEY FALLS IN NCAA QUARTERS

Danielle Mazurek scored 14:38 into overtime to lift Manhattanville to a 4-3 win over Middlebury in a NCAA Quarterfinal game in Kenyon Arena. The win avenges quarterfinals losses by the Valiants in each of the last three years at Middlebury. Manhattanville will take on Wisconsin-Superior, a 3-1 winner over Gustavus Adolphus in a semifinal game next Friday at 3:30 at Plattsburgh. The host school will meet Elmira, a 3-2 winner over Amherst, in the nightcap at 7:00.

Middlebury opened the scoring just 4:07 into the game as sophomore Heather McCormack (Rowley, Mass.) tipped in a pass that was sent in from junior Molly Vitt (Kenilworth, Ill.) for a power play goal. Manhattanville answered with their own power play goal, this one a five-on-three goal, to tie the game just 1:46 later. Danielle Nagymarosi took a feed from Erin Brawley on the right side, before snapping a shot that appeared to deflect off the shoulder of Middlebury sophomore netminder Lani Wright (Reading, Mass.) and into the net. The Valiants would have two more power play opportunities in the period, but entered the locker room with a 1-1 tie and an 8-4 shots advantage.

Middlebury took a 2-1 lead just 55 seconds into the second period as senior Lacey Farrell’s (Greenwich, Conn.) shot from the slot trickled through the pads of Karine Turmel. Manhattanville answered at 2:12 as Monique Raferty one-timed a nice crossing feed from Nagymarosi to tie the game at one.

Both teams continued the offensive surge, with the Panthers having some quality chances on the power play. Middlebury broke through at 15:08, taking a 3-2 lead as McCormack earned her second goal of the game, this one on a feed from junior Randi Dumont (Greene, Maine).

Manhattanville tied the game 4:29 into the third period as Alex Findlay scored from the right point on a knuckler that sailed past Wright. Each team would have quality scoring opportunities in the third period, but Wright and Turmel would hold their ground, forcing the game into overtime. Middlebury ended regulation with a 27-24 shots advantage.

Junior Annmarie Cellino (W. Seneca, N.Y.) had a tipped shot go just wide early in overtime, before drawing a tripping call as she broke towards the goal. The Valiants had the best chance early in Middlebury’s power play, but Jessica Zimmerman’s breakaway attempt was denied by Wright.

Turmel was as impressive on the other end, with 13 saves through the first 10 minutes of overtime, including a great pad save on first-year player Anna McNally (St. Paul, Minn.) at the nine-minute mark.

Mazurek’s game-winner came as she gathered a puck at center ice and skated in on the right wing before blasting a shot home from just inside the blue line.

Middlebury outshot Manhattanville 15-6 in the overtime period, as Wright ended the game with 26 saves for the Panthers, and Turmel made 39 stops for the Valiants.
• Women’s hockey final record: 19-4-3

MEN’S LACROSSE WINS AT CONN.

The Middlebury College men’s lacrosse team earned a 3-2 victory at Connecticut College in a closely contested defensive battle played on Silfen Field in New London, Connecticut. Junior Skyler Hopkins (Easton, Md.) put in what would prove to be the game winner with 12:07 remaining in regulation. Senior Jim Cabrera (Old Greenwich, Conn) and junior Tom Petty (Newburyport, Conn.) contributed goals for the Panthers.

Craig Audin and Mark Mangano provided goals for the Camels, who had battled back from a two goal deficit to tie the game in the third quarter. Mark Moran had five of his 12 saves in the fourth quarter, keeping the game close.

After a scoreless first period of play, the Panthers got on the board just before the intermission, taking advantage of an extra man opportunity. Junior Mike Stone (Boston, Mass.) dished to Cabrera who buried a one-timer and the visitors had a 1-0 lead at the half.

Petty doubled the lead for the Panthers 2:08 into the third quarter, finishing on a feed from junior Matt Ferrer (Darien, Conn.). The Camels responded with the next two goals to even the game at two. In an extra man situation, Eric Doran dished to Craig Audin on the wing from behind the Middlebury cage and Audin’s shot caromed off the post and into the goal for a score. With 2:01 remaining in the quarter, Jesse Stevenson assisted Mark Mangano for the equalizer and the team’s headed into the fourth quarter locked in a 2-2 tie.

But early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers regained their lead with the goal from Phillips. The Camels had five shots in the quarter but the visitors were able to hold on for the 3-2 victory.

Junior Peter Britt (Summit, N.J.) had two of his four saves in the fourth quarter for Middlebury.
• Men’s lacrosse record: 2-0
• Up next: 3/19 @ Springfield, 3/22 @ Bowdoin

WOMEN’S LACROSSE WINS HOME-OPENER

The Middlebury College women’s lacrosse team won its home-opener on Kohn Field as they picked up a convincing 17-4 win over Connecticut College. The Panthers jumped out to a 13-0 halftime lead and never looked back as they moved to 2-0 on the season.

Middlebury jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the game’s first 5:31 behind a pair of free position goals. Senior Mimi Schatz (Baltimore, Md.) scored her second of the game at 20:55, followed by a pair from sophomore Dana Heritage (Cheshire, Conn.) to make it a 6-0 game. First-year player Sally Ryan (Mountain Lakes, N.J.) and Schatz scored again, to give the Panthers three goals in a 25 second span, making it an 8-0 contest. Senior Amanda Smith (Greenwich, Conn.) assisted on the final three goals of the half to give the Panthers a 13-0 advantage.

Abby Hill put Connecticut College on the board just 1:20 into the second half. Middlebury answered with a pair before Lindsey Coit scored for the Camels. The teams would exchange the final four goals of the game to make it a 17-4 final.

Schatz led Middlebury with four goals, Heritage had three, while rookie Chase Delano (Greenwich, Conn.) and Ryan netted two apiece. Smith had five helpers in the game, with a pair from Delano. Four different players scored for Connecticut College, with Abby Hill having a goal and an assist.
• Women’s lacrosse record: 2-0
• Up next: 3/22 vs. Bowdoin – 11:00

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