BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Middlebury women's ice hockey team captured a 5-3 win over host Bowdoin on Saturday afternoon at Watson Arena.

The fourth ranked Panthers swept the weekend to improve to 10-2-3 (7-1-2 NESCAC). Tenth ranked Bowdoin suffered its first back-to-back losses this season and fall to 8-5-3 (5-3-1 NESCAC). 

With five minutes remaining in the first period the Panthers broke through as Katie Sullivan redirected a shot from Julia Wardwell through traffic, for the 1-0 advantage. Just 42 seconds later, the Panthers doubled their lead with Elizabeth Wulf stuffing in a rebound off Anna Van Kula's initial shot.

Middlebury tacked on third goal in the second period 7:17 into the frame, converting on another rebound opportunity. Firing a shot from the point, Emily Fluke's bid was denied by Beth Findley but Jessica Young cleaned up her rebound for the 3-0 lead. The Panthers put in their third power play goal of the game as Fluke deflected a clapper from Hannah Bielawski. The Polar Bears spoiled the shutout with a power play goal of their own five minutes later, to make the score 4-1. Maryanne Iodice lined up inside the blue line and sent a shot towards Middlebury goalie Madeline Marsh. With Ariana Bourque waiting on pads, she slipped a pass towards Maddie Baird on the right post who wristed a shot top left shelf for Bowdoin's first.

The Panthers pushed their goal total to five with a goal by Maddie Winslow in the third. The play developed as Katie Mandigo skated out of neutral territory down the left wing. As Mandigo approached the red line she dished a pass to Winslow on the opposite side, who had an open net to give Middlebury the commanding lead. The Polar Bears continued to battle and answered with a goal four minutes later at 10:46. Julia Dachille had her shot blocked, but Colleen Finnerty collected the puck as it squirted left and flipped a shot up and over the prone Marsh. With 3:43 remaining the Polar Bears pulled Findley to put an extra skater on the ice, and converted with 1:28 to play. Chelsea MacNeil netted Bowdoin's third of the game on a diving put-back across the crease.

Findley made 25 saves in net for the Polar Bears, with Marsh stopping 23 shots on the opposite end.

The Polar Bears head to Williams next weekend for a two-game NESCAC series against the Ephs starting at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Panthers host Potsdam State on Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m.