MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Wesleyan women's field hockey team was defeated by the number one ranked team in the country Saturday morning at Smith Field. The Middlebury Panthers came into this morning's game riding a 37-game winning streak that dates back to late 2019. The Panthers were able to control the game from the beginning, scoring two first quarter goals to build an early lead. As the rain died down in the second half, Middlebury really started to apply pressure to extend their lead out to reach the final score of 7-0. The Panthers win their 38^th straight contest, moving to 8-0 (5-0 NESCAC). Wesleyan drops their fourth straight game to fall to 2-5 (1-4 NESCAC). They will look to bounce back in their two games next week.

Wesleyan played a stellar first 12 minutes of the game, holding Middlebury without a shot while producing two of their own. With just over five minutes remaining in the quarter, Diana Schwarz '23 managed to find her way into the circle before missing wide with her shot attempt. Helen Deretchin '25 had the first real scoring chance of the day for either side with a hard shot taken from the top of the circle that was turned away by Panthers' goalie Grace Harlan.

After that flurry from the Cardinals, it was all Panthers to end the quarter. Middlebury's offense was able to apply extreme pressure in the final three minutes which led to six shots and two goals. After three straight penalty corners for the Panthers, they were able to push through their first goal of the game. Amy Griffin took her own rebound and found Meg Shelburne to put the Panthers up one. Just 30 seconds later Middlebury struck again, with Grace Murphy receiving a pass from Audrey Lazar from inside the circle.

Middlebury applied more pressure in the 2^nd with seven shots and five penalty corners, but the Wesleyan defense and Audrey Pace '26 were able to keep them out of the cage. Middlebury turned it on in the second half, scoring five goals on 13 shots and nine penalty corners. The final goal of the game was put through by Lilly Thieberg on a penalty stroke to get to the final score of 7-0.

Middlebury outshot Wesleyan 26-4 (15-3 SOG), producing 17 penalty corners to Wesleyan's 3. Pace was in goal for the first three quarters the game for the Cardinals, saving five of 10 shots on goal. Athena Vadnal '25 finished out the 4^th quarter, tying her career-high with three saves in 15 minutes of action.

Wesleyan returns to action Wednesday the 7^th where they will travel to Rhode Island to clash with Roger Williams in a non-conference contest.