Middlebury scored once in each half as the 11th-ranked Panthers (1-0) picked up a 2-0 win at Union (1-1-1) in its season-opener on Tuesday night. The visitors held a dominating 24-2 shots advantage in the contest, with a 10-0 edge in corner kicks. Middlebury begins NESCAC play on Saturday when it hosts Wesleyan at 11:00 a.m. on Dragone Field.
Fanny Lodge opened the scoring at the 28:44 mark with the first goal of her career.
Gretchen McGrath sent in a ball from the left side, that Lodge one-touched in the box to the top left corner of the net. The Panthers kept up the offense for the remainder of the half, settling for a 1-0 lead at the intermission with a 10-0 advantage in shots.
Elizabeth Peebles gave Middlebury some breathing room the 62nd minute with her first-career goal.
Ellie Bavier sent a long cross from the right side that bounced and deflected in the box, before Pebbles pounced on the loose ball and quickly put it away for the 2-0 advantage.
Sydney Poppinga made the lead stand up as she made two saves in goal to earn a shutout in her collegiate debut. Abby Mitty made nine saves for Union.
