CLINTON, N.Y. — Middlebury College scored two power-play goals midway through the third period and the Panthers defeated the Hamilton College Continentals 2-0 in NESCAC action at Hamilton’s Russell Sage Rink on Friday night.
Season Update
The nationally ranked No. 5 Continentals (17-4-2, 11-3-1 NESCAC) lost for the first time since Jan. 13 and for just the second time since November. No. 7 Middlebury (15-5-3, 10-3-2) is unbeaten in its last six games. Hamilton remained in second place in the conference standings with one game left in the regular season. The Panthers are 1.5 points behind the Continentals, but would take over the No. 2 seed for the NESCAC championship with another win on Saturday.
How It Happened
After two scoreless periods, Middlebury went on top just 18 seconds into its first power-play opportunity. Britt Nawrocki scored at 6:04 of the third and Jenna Letterie and Avery McInerny picked up the assists. Letterie made it 2-0 with 9:26 left in the period. Nawrocki and McInerny had the assists. Hamilton took two shots on its five power-play chances. The Continentals had an empty net for most of the last two minutes of the third period and they had a 6-on-4 advantage for the last 45 seconds when one of the Panthers was sent to the penalty box for tripping.
Notes
Evie Sheridan ’26 made 17 saves for Hamilton. The Continentals surrendered two power-play goals after allowing just three in their first 22 games. Sophia Merageas stopped 22 shots and posted the shutout for Middlebury.
Next Game
The teams play each other again at Sage Rink on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. Hamilton will honor its nine seniors prior to the start of the game.
