AMHERST, Mass.  – Senior tri-captain Annika Nygren netted two for the Purple & White, but Middlebury used three unanswered second half goals to pace the sixth-ranked Panthers to a 4-2 victory over the No. 13 Amherst field hockey team.

With the loss, Amherst moves to 2-2 overall, 0-2 in NESCAC play, while Middlebury improves to 3-0 on the season and 2-0 in league action.

The opening minutes set the tone for an exciting and competitive game, as it took only four minutes of action for both sides to make their presence known on the scoreboard.

Middlebury was first to strike, with Pam Schulman recording her team-leading fourth goal of the season just 3:24 into play. In the first Panther corner of the matchup, Caroline Knapp dished the inbound pass to Shannon Hutteman who found the open Schulman on the top left of the circle. Seizing the opportunity, Schulman sent a low, hard shot towards net that ultimately snuck by Amherst goaltender Emily Horwtiz '17 on her right side.

Responding almost immediately, Nygren was able to find the back of the goal for Amherst just 28 seconds later to even the contest 1-1. Following consecutive saves by Middlebury netminder Emily Miller, a clearing attempt by the Panther defense was intercepted by Mary Grace Cronin '18 near the top of the circle. Sending the subsequent pass to the right side, Cronin connected with Nygren who took a one-touch shot to beat Miller short side.

The remaining 31 minutes of the first half proved to be scoreless, with both teams featuring strong defensive play and timely goaltending.

Opening the second half in a similar fashion to the first, it was only 35 seconds before the Purple & White notched their second and final score of the outing. In the right place at the right time, Nygren redirected the shot of Caroline Feeley '18 past Miller and into the goal.

Grace Jennings of Middlebury would level the score in the 41st minute. In an individual effort, Jennings broke past the Amherst backline to earn a 1v0 and tallied the tying score after her well-placed shot beat Horwitz.

The Panthers notched the game winner three minutes later, as Knapp corralled the rebound from a shot by Anna Kenyon and blasted it into the back of the goal.

Despite Amherst's sustained offensive pressure, after roughly 23 minutes of scoreless action Middlebury increased their lead to two with three minutes remaining in the game. Knapp would record the insurance tally for her second of the game.

Amherst held the advantage in shot differential 16-14, while Middlebury edged the Purple & White in corners, 9-5. Horwitz recorded five saves for Amherst in the matchup, while Miller finished the game with nine saves in the winning effort.

The Purple & White returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 22 when they take the field for a non-conference matchup against Springfield at 7 p.m. at home.