AMHERST, MA. – A Bridget Finley hat trick and a great performance from goaltender Lily Samoska were not enough as No. 5 Amherst women's lacrosse team fell to Middlebury on Saturday, April 14. After they closed their non-conference slate with a big win on Tuesday, the Mammoths took to Pratt Field looking to unseat undefeated national No. 1 Panthers in their final home game of the regular season. Middlebury broke the game open after closely contested first quarter to win 13-7.

Before the game, the Mammoths took the time to celebrate their nine seniors and the contributions that they have made to the programs over the course of their careers. The 2026 class includes Anna Whitworth, Sofia Guttmann, Morgan Lebek, Emily Petersen, Clara Sosa, Finley, Kate Becker, Jessye Salmon, and Annie McCarthy.

With the loss, Amherst slips to 12-2overall and 7-2 in the NESCAC while the Panthers fall/improve to 14-0 (9-0 NESCAC). The Mammoths will take the field for the final time of this regular season, with travelling to No. 17 Trinity on Wednesday, April 23. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
 
* Though Middlebury got on the board first, Amherst netted on their next offensive possession. Bridget Darcy drew the foul and converted the free position to tie the game at 1-1. Then, after a response from Midd, Finley got her first of the day off an assist from Becker, catching the ball in front of the crease, spinning towards goal and firing home to knot the score once again, this time at 2-2.
* The Panthers would the next four, twice at the end of the first and twice in the second, to take a 6-2 lead into the break.

* Midd kept their foot on the gas after the half, getting three more to widen the margin to 7. Amherst got their first goal of the half shortly after, as Petersen finished off a close-range chance off a pass from Mia Raven to cut the deficit to 9-3 with 6:16 to play in the period. However, the Panthers put one in the back of the cage only minutes later.

* Amherst again responded with a goal of their own, one that sparked a run: Becker found her spot at X and hit Finley in front of goal for the tally, and the teams headed to the fourth with the Mammoths down 10-4.

* Sosa got on the board next. The senior collected the pass, dodged past three defenders and whipped a laser just below the crossbar for to shrink the lead to five to open the fourth quarter scoring. Forty seconds later, Finley got her hat trick, potting unassisted and bringing the home crowd back to life with the score at 10-6 Midd.

* The visitors stopped the run with another goal, though, and potted a second to reestablish their six-goal lead and effectively shut the door on a Mammoths' comeback.
 
* Petersen tallied unassisted, and Middlebury put in one more to account for the 13-7 final.

BY THE NUMBERS:
 
* Middlebury outshot the Amherst 30-18 overall and 18-11 in shots on goal.
 
* Grace Shannon and the Mammoths' draw control unit put in another stellar performance, coming out on top with an 18-4 advantage at the circle. Raven had 7 and Shannon had 6 draw controls on the day.

* Samoska made 9 saves against the Panthers.