Middlebury, Vt. - The #17 ranked Colby College Field Hockey team fell on the road to #1 Middlebury College 4-1 as the Panthers celebrated Homecoming Weekend.  Colby falls to 7-3 while Middlebury stays unbeaten at 11-0.  

Middlebury has been sitting at the top of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Coaches Poll ever since the initial ranking in the preseason.  They had impressive wins over #6 Bowdoin College, #13 Bates College, #19 Babson College, and Saturday they topped #17 ranked Colby.  Colby has enjoyed a season of program growth that launched a national ranking for the first time since 2003.  Their lone setback early in the year came at the hands of Tufts University in a last second hearthbreaker.  Their last two contests against top-ranked opponents (#9 Williams and #1 Middlebury) ended with identical scores, falling 4-1 in both.  

Colby played tough early and actually had two scores wiped away in the first quarter when the shots were hit from outside the striking circle and the Mules were unable to redirect.  The first quarter expired in a scoreless tie.  Middlebury would strike first early in the second quarter when Erin Nicholas scored her first of the day unassisted.  The Mules responded with five minutes to play in the half.  Kaitlyn Smith (photo) scored her fourth goal of the season off an assist by Georgia Cassidy.  Cassidy ranks third in the NESCAC in goals and points.  The Panthers answered 30 seconds later with what proved to be the deciding score, as Nicholas tallied her second of the contest, this time assisted by Katie George.  Nicholas and George are the top scoring threats for Middlebury, and now share third place with Cassidy on the NESCAC stat chart for goals.  

Emily Buckman played tough in goal and added seven more to her save total.  She currently ranks third in the NESCAC in saves (65) and fifth in save percentage (0.793).  The home team was able to net two second half goals to walk away with the victory.  

Colby remains on the road for a midweek contest at Saint Joseph's College this Wednesday.  Game time is 7:00 PM.