MIDDLEBURY — The host Middlebury College women’s hockey team on Tuesday knocked off previously undefeated Lake Forest, 2-1, in a battle of top-10 NCAA Division III programs.
The Panthers, ranked No. 8 heading into play this week, improved to 5-2-1, while No. 3 Lake Forest dropped to 10-1-1. Middlebury returns to action this weekend with a pair of key NESCAC games at Amherst. Amherst is 4-0 in league play, while the Panthers are 3-0-1 in NESCAC action.
Middlebury’s Anna Van Kula scored the game-winner in the third period, snapping a 1-1 tie at 7:57 by netting the rebound of a Victoria Laven shot.
Middlebury took the lead at 10:46 of the first period on a Katie Mandigo power-play goal, assisted by Elizabeth Wulf.
Panther goalie Julia Neuburger (20 saves) preserved that lead later in the period with three stops on a Lake Forest power play, but the Foresters tied the game 2:34 into the second when Amy Budde put a low shot inside the far post after Michelle Greeneway gained puck possession along the boards.
After Van Kula put the Panthers on top, the Foresters killed three Middlebury power plays. The Foresters pulled goalie Allie Carter with 49 seconds left, but a crucial blocked shot by Middlebury’s Maddie Winslow and a late save by Neuburger secured the win. Carter finished with 32 saves for Lake Forest.