NEW LONDON, Conn. — The Connecticut College field hockey team gave No. 1 Middlebury College a tough test on Saturday afternoon, falling by a 2-1 final in a NESCAC clash at Silfen Field.

The Camels gave the top-ranked Panthers all they could handle, dominating play for stretches and creating chances around the cage. Trailing 2-0 in the fourth, Conn cut the deficit in half on a penalty stroke by Katie Dolan (Westminster, Mass.) with 9:38 to play. However, Middlebury defended well down the stretch to preserve the lead.

Emma McNealy and Emma McCann each scored goals for the Panthers, who improved to 8-0 overall (4-0 NESCAC) with the win. Izzy Redzic finished with one save to earn the victory in goal.

Conn controlled play in the opening quarter on both sides of the ball. On the offensive end the Camels owned a 5-0 edge in penalty corners and produced four shots—but failed to put a goal up on the scoreboard. The defense was equally impressive, holding Middlebury without a shot in the period.

The Panthers struck in the second quarter on a penalty corner with 9:10 left in the half. McCann set up the goal by poking a loose ball to the post, where McNealy was waiting for a backhanded flick into the open net.

Middlebury led 1-0 at halftime and added to the margin with 3:15 left in the third. After earning a string of penalty corners, the Panthers finally capitalized when a center feed by Ally Kennedy was redirected into the back of the cage by McCann.

Conn drew the penalty stroke just over five minutes into the fourth on a heads-up play by Bridget McGann (West Hartford, Conn.), who picked off a back pass and dribbled into the shooting circle. McGann dodged a defender before being sandwiched by said defender and the Middlebury goalie, and the stroke was immediately awarded by the official.

Dolan stepped up to the spot and converted her second penalty stroke of the year. She beat Redzic to the stick side, giving the Camels new life for the final 9:38.

Although Conn pressed for the equalizer, Middlebury did well to keep the ball out of its own defensive end the rest of the way. The Camels ultimately ran out of time, and the Panthers remained unbeaten on the season.

Isabella Carnall (Malvern, Pa.) finished with four saves in goal for the Camels.

Conn (3-4 overall, 1-4 NESCAC) will next play at Trinity College on Wednesday, October 1 at 6:00 p.m.