Middlebury kept the Bates defense, including Brynna Kelley '08 (left), Katie McEnroe '11 (in red) and Sarah Peters '08 (7), busy inside the circle. (H. Jay Burns photo)

LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates College field hockey team dropped a conference game Saturday against the Middlebury College Panthers, 7-1. Sophomore forward Heather McCormack (Rowley, Mass.) registered a hat trick in the second half to help the Panthers pull away for the victory. Middlebury improved to 9-3 (6-2 NESCAC). The Bobcats fell to 5-7-1 (2-6 NESCAC).

In an incredibly competitive first half, the Bobcats dominated circle play and kept the ball in Middlebury's defensive end for much of the first half. The Bobcats earned five first half corners to Middlebury's two. Middlebury scored first 18 minutes into the first half when senior forward Reid Berrien (Westport, Conn.) received a pass in the circle from senior midfielder Lacey Farrell (Greenwich, Conn.) with her back facing the goal. Berrien pulled the ball to her right and took a reverse stick shot that beat Bates first-year goaltender Katie McEnroe (Hockessin, Del.) just inside the far post.

Bates responded just 50 seconds later with a beautiful goal from junior forward Rachel Greenwood (Williamstown, Mass.) to tie the game 1-1. Greenwood's goal came off a penalty corner in which sophomore defended Sammy Rothkopf (Chicago, Ill.) took a direct shot on goal from the top of the circle. Rothkopf's shot rebounded off Middlebury's junior goalie Caitlin Pentifallo (River Edge, N.J.) and Greenwood quickly flicked it up and past Pentifallo for her fourth goal of the season. Senior defender Sarah Peters (Acton, Mass.) recorded an impressive defensive save in the first half to keep the game at a one goal deficit.

With six minutes left in the half, Middlebury first-year Chase Delano (Greenwich, Conn.) scored her first collegiate goal and what would turn out to be the game winner to put the Panthers up 2-1.

In the second half, Middlebury opened it up by scoring five unanswered goals despite some impressive saves from Bates goalie McEnroe. The Panthers scored four of those five goals in a seven-minute span. Berrien scored her team leading 13th goal of the season and her second goal of the game on a penalty corner six minutes into the second half to put the Panthers up 3-1. McCormack stole the show for the rest of the game, scoring three of the last four goals while sophomore midfielder Mullery Doar (Winnetka, Ill.) tallied two assists in the second half. Sophomore forward Madeleine Macmillan (Milton, Mass.) also scored in the second half and junior forward Sophie Thompson (Greenwich, Conn.) recorded an assist.

Middlebury out-shot Bates 34-22, but Bates retained the edge in penalty corners 9-6. McEnroe made 15 saves in net for the Bobcats, while Pentifallo made six saves for the Panthers.

The Bobcats close out their season at Colby on Saturday at 11 a.m.

BOX SCORE: Middlebury 7, Bates 1