NEW LONDON, Conn. - On a rainy, windy and cold Saturday afternoon, the Connecticut College women's lacrosse team fell to nationally-ranked Middlebury 14-6 to begin its NESCAC schedule. 

Connecticut College (2-1, 0-1 NESCAC) came into the weekend matchup as winners of its first two regular season games. Middlebury (2-0, 2-0 NESCAC) entered off a win over No. 20 Bowdoin last Saturday. Both teams battled through the elements all game in a hard-fought affair.

The Panthers got off to a very hot start in the opening stanza. The visitors outscored the Camels 9-0, including four goals from junior Jane Earley. After a score from Lily Riseberg 1:38 into the game, Earley found the back of the net for two consecutive goals on nearly identical plays. On both instances, teammate Maggie Coughlin delivered a crisp pass to Earley who cut through the middle and beat Camels' goaltender Violette Nidds (Ridgewood, N.J.). In addition to Riseberg and Earley, four different Panthers scored in the first quarter alone. The Camels were stifled offensively, and were not able to get a shot off during the first 15 minutes.

The second quarter was much more evenly matched. After a goal from Riseberg made it 10-0 Middlebury, the Camels finally got on the board when Emily Yorns (Longmeadow, Mass.) was able to weave her way through several Panthers' defenders and get a contested shot past goalie Annie Enrietto. Freshman Aine Downey (Brookline, Mass.) would follow suit and she would also create space to earn her first goal of the game with 3:22 left in the half. The Camels outshot Middlebury 7-5 in the second quarter and would head into the break trailing 10-2. 

The ensuing quarter was more of a defensive battle, with only one score by each team. Earley earned her fifth goal of the game, 3:04 in off an assist from Hope Shue. Connecticut College answered just over six minutes later when Yorns found the back of the net on a pass from freshman Caroline Bruce (Acton, Mass.). After 45 minutes of play, Middlebury led 11-3. 

Down eight goals, the Camels came out aggressive in the final stanza. Just 35 seconds into the quarter, freshman Emma Emma Ognibene (New Canaan, Conn.) was able to get a shot by Enrietto. Senior Kelly Wolin (Sudbury, Mass.) cut the Panthers' lead down to six with a quick shot off a feed from Downey. But Middlebury answered right back with three consecutive goals of their own. Madeline Riordan scored two beautiful goals on one-timers off passes from Riseberg and Addy Hayman to bring the lead back up to 14-5. Downey would add her second goal of the game for the Camels with 2:34 remaining but the Panthers would ultimately get the 14-6 victory thanks in part to their huge first quarter.

Earley and Riseberg led the game in points with five each. For the Camels, Downey tallied two goals and an assist. Nidds received the loss, but made 13 quality saves. Enrietto stopped three shots for the Panthers.

Connecticut College will next host Nazareth on Thursday, March 17 at 12 p.m.