The Essex field hockey team used two first half goals to beat Middlebury 2-1 Tuesday night. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak by the Tigers and was just their second loss of the season.
Junior Taylor Hallowell’s goal gave Essex (5-2-3) an early lead in the fourth minute of the game. Hillary Danis scored with thirteen minutes left in the first half to give the Hornets a 2-0 advantage at halftime.
“This time we were ready for them,” said Hallowell. “We knew they were a physical team and we did all the right things to win,”
Middlebury (7-2-1) cut the lead in half with less than twenty minutes remaining in the second half when senior captain Chrissy Ritter fired in a goal.
“We let up a little in the second half but we stayed strong as a team to the end,” said Hallowell. “Playing under the lights motivated us and we weren’t going to lose.”
The two teams played to a scoreless tie in their first meeting in September. Middlebury beat Essex in last year’s Division I quarterfinals.
Essex goalie Lauren Cray had five saves while Heather Ploof finished with five saves for Middlebury.
Essex plays again at home Thursday vs. CVU. Middlebury travels to Mt. Mansfield on Thursday.