No. 23 Field Hockey Defeats Seven-Time Defending NCAA D3 National Champion No. 1 Middlebury, 2-1 (OT)

BEVERLY, Mass. — The No. 23 Endicott field hockey team came from behind to earn the program's first-ever win against a No. 1 team, as the Gulls defeated top-ranked Middlebury, 2-1 (OT), on Sunday afternoon in non-conference action at North Field. 

Tori Swanson (Farmington, Conn.) added another moment of glory to her illustrious career when she forced a turnover on the left side of the circle, cut through the Panthers' defense, and slipped a shot five-hole for the game-winning goal at the 66:50 mark of overtime. 

The tally also moved Swanson into sole possession of first place as the all-time points leader in program history (155 points, 63 career games) and snapped Middlebury's 60-game non-conference unbeaten streak, which dated back to the 2017 season.

Endicott dominated play in overtime, as the Gulls compiled three penalty corners and two shots (one blocked/one saved).

Faith Minickene (Madison, Conn.) also came up with a clutch save as the Panthers had a breakaway opportunity early in the extra period.

Trailing 1-0 in the fourth quarter, Swanson earned the Gulls a penalty corner with just under eight minutes to play.

The senior inserted the ball to Abby Antonelli (Worcester, Mass.) at the top of the circle, before she made a quick swing pass to Riley Perkins (Lakeville, Mass.) on the right wing.

Perkins took her space towards net and fired a pass to Reagan Hicks (Barnstable, Mass.), who redirected the offering into the cage to tie the game at one apiece. 

After tying the nationally ranked matchup, the Gulls' defense remained determined to complete the comeback, fending off three Middlebury penalty corners.

Minickene saved two opportunities, and Endicott blocked another shot, forcing the game to overtime. 

Middlebury opened the scoring in the contest as sophomore midfielder Emma McCann (Needham, Mass.) buried a tally through traffic from close range at the 24:23 mark. 

Her fourth goal of the season was generated off a rebound via a right wing shot by Madaket Rzepka (Reading, Mass.).

Less than a minute later (25:15), the Gulls were awarded a penalty stroke, giving the hosts a primetime chance to net a quick equalizer. 

Izzy Redzic (South Burlington, Vt.) turned away the game-tying bid, however, with a highlight reel diving stick save to her right to keep the Panthers in front.

On the other end, Minickene and Perkins made a combined seven saves (six saves and one defensive save) over the next 26:56 to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard.

The Endicott defense of Adie Bolduc (Weare, N.H.), Natalia Correia (Tyngsboro, Mass.), and Kate Harris (Andover, Mass.) blocked 14 shots throughout the contest, including six in the first quarter, five in the second quarter, two in the third quarter, and one in the fourth.

In total, Minickene finished the game with 18 saves, and her record improved to 8-1.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Gulls secured their first-ever win over Middlebury.
• Minickene's 18 saves ranks sixth all-time in a single game.
• Fourteenth career game-winning for Swanson (first this season).
• Third career defensive save for Perkins.

WHAT'S NEXT

No. 23 Endicott (8-1) visits Keene State on Wednesday, October 1 at 6:30 PM. No. 1 Middlebury (8-1) hosts Bowdoin on Saturday, October 4 at 12 PM.

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(Photo Credit - Bradley Griffin '28)