CLINTON, N.Y. – Hamilton College's Sophie Berghammer '26 and Nancy Loh '23 scored goals in the Continentals' 2-1 NESCAC win against the Middlebury College Panthers at Hamilton's Russell Sage Rink on Saturday afternoon.
 
Season Update
The nationally ranked No. 5 Continentals (18-4-2, 12-3-1 NESCAC) ended up as the No. 2 seed for the conference championship and will host No. 7 seed Williams College in a quarterfinal on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m.
 
No. 7 Middlebury (15-6-3, 10-4-2) dropped down to the fourth seed and will host fifth-seeded Connecticut College on Saturday at 3 p.m.
 
How It Happened

• During a delayed penalty call on the Panthers, Abby Smith '24 had a shot that was stopped by Middlebury goaltender Sophia Will. The rebound caromed back out into the slot area and Berghammer launched the puck into the back of the net 4:43 into the first period.
• Hamilton's lead didn't last long as Britt Nawrocki pulled the Panthers even 9:02 into the first. Jenna Letterie and Claudia Vira had the assists.
• Evie Sheridan '26 started in goal for the Continentals, but left the game with 1:59 left in the first with an injury. Mac Donovan '26, who had already made four starts this season, filled in admirably for Sheridan the rest of the way.
• Loh put Hamilton in the lead for good 4:24 into the second period on a great individual effort. Hyla Mosher '23 forced a turnover and Loh took control of the puck in the neutral zone. She carried it into the Continentals' offensive zone where her wrist shot from the right faceoff circle beat Will.
• Middlebury, which scored twice on the power play in its 2-0 win on Friday night, finally received an opportunity at 5:51 of the third period. This time all the Panthers managed was two blocked shots and another that was off-target.
• Donovan was forced to make three saves in a span of 18 seconds midway through the third as Middlebury picked up the pressure.
• The Panthers pulled Will for an extra skater with 1:38 remaining but only put one shot on goal. Middlebury had a faceoff in its offensive zone with four seconds to go, but Mosher won the draw and the Continentals ran out the clock.

 
Notes

• Donovan finished with 17 saves including 10 in the third period. She has a .972 save percentage and 0.64 goals against average in 280-plus minutes this season.
• Berghammer's goal is the first of her collegiate career. The defender also blocked three shots.
• Loh leads the NESCAC with 17 goals and leads the team with 21 points.
• Mosher recorded her 11^th assist this season and the 45^th point of her career. She also won 11 faceoffs.
• Smith has nine helpers this season and 26 career points.
• Allie Curry '23 registered her 20^th career point.
• Abby Kuhns '23 blocked four shots.
• Hamilton honored its nine seniors before the game during a short recognition ceremony.
• Will finished with 30 saves.
• Both teams were 0-for-1 on the power play.