Courtesy Middlebury Athletic Communications

Box Score

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Middlebury won its seventh consecutive NESCAC Women's Lacrosse Championship with a 10-8 win over Colby Sunday afternoon. The Panthers earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and are expected to host an NCAA Regional next weekend on Kohn Field.

In the closest NESCAC final in the history of the tournament, Middlebury came out strong, but we unable to build a big lead early. Kim Walker put the Panthers on the board at 24:35, followed by back-to-back goals from Claire Edelen to make it a 3-0 game at the 17:43 mark.

Libba Cox put Colby on the board with 10:44 remaining, while Kate Sheridan scored with a side-arm shot to make it a 3-2 game at the 6:43 mark. Walker answered with a free position goal for the Panthers, before Courtney Drake brought the Mules within one with a transition goal.

Colby tied the game 3:43 into the second half, before taking their first lead of the game on a goal from Lauren Barrett. Middlebury tied the game at five on Walker's third goal of the game at 22:04. Liza Humes followed at 20:15 with an under-handed scoop shot to give the Panthers a 6-5 lead. Libba Cox answered for Colby before goals from Walker and Katherine Entwisle gave Middlebury an 8-6 lead with 13:05 left to play.

Colby battled back once again as Sheridan scored from the right side at 12:46, followed by Cox 1:25 later to knot the game at eight. Walker scored what would eventually be the game winner as she drove from the left and fired a shot into the far side of the net at the 6:44 mark.

The Panthers slowed down the offense from there, with Walker giving them some breathing room as she cut through the middle and tied a NESCAC tournament record with her sixth goal of the game. Edelen chipped in with two goals for the Panthers, while Humes had a goal and two assists. Blaire Bowie ended the afternoon with 11 saves for Middlebury.

Cox led the Mules with three goals, while Sheridan netted a pair. Catharine O'Brien made 11 saves in goal.

2007 NESCAC WOMEN'S LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round - Sunday, April 29 at Higher Seeds
No. 7 Williams 14, at No. 2 Trinity 13 - OT
No. 6 Amherst 13, at No. 3 Wesleyan 5
at No. 4 Colby 10, No. 5 Bowdoin 9

Semifinals - Saturday, May 5 at Middlebury
at No. 1 Middlebury  15, No. 7 Williams 5
vs. No. 4 Colby 10, No. 6 Amherst 8

Championship - Sunday, May 6 at Middlebury
at No. 1 Middlebury 10, No. 4 Colby 8