The Middlebury women's lacrosse team, ranked first nationally, celebrated a successful season culminating in a NESCAC Championship. The Panthers defeated #4 Wesleyan 7-5 to secure their third title in four years and a league-leading 13th overall. Caroline Adams, who was named NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year, led the Panthers with an impressive season, tallying 92 points, including 59 goals. Defensive standout Caroline Messer earned both IWLCA Defensive and NESCAC Player of the Week honors for her contributions in the semifinals and championship games. The team now turns its attention to the NCAA Tournament, where they will host an opening weekend pod, beginning with a match against the winner of Western Connecticut State and St. John Fisher on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
In men's lacrosse, the #19 Panthers have also earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking their 21st appearance in the national competition. After a strong season, they secured a first-round bye and will face #8 Dickinson in Medford, Massachusetts. Middlebury looks to leverage its experience, having battled nine nationally ranked teams this season, as they aim for their fourth national title.
The Middlebury baseball team is set for the NESCAC Championship Weekend after a successful quarterfinal series against Bowdoin, where they won two of three games. The Panthers, seeded second in the NESCAC West, will open the double-elimination tournament against top-seeded Tufts on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Middlebury boasts impressive offensive statistics, leading the conference in batting average and on-base percentage, while their pitching staff has also excelled with a strong ERA.
Middlebury's softball team has secured the second seed in the upcoming NESCAC Tournament, where they will face seventh-seeded Bates on Friday at 4:00 p.m. The Panthers are looking to build on their recent success, having won six of their last seven games. Sarah LaFond, who was named NESCAC Player of the Week, has been a key contributor, driving in 10 runs over the past week. The team aims to break the single-season victory record set in 2011.
In tennis, both the men's and women's teams have received accolades as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament. The #19 men's team saw Julian Wu earn First Team All-NESCAC honors in singles, while Reif Larsen and Thehan Wijemanne were recognized as a second-team doubles pair. The #12 women's team, led by Elsie Van Wieren's first-team singles recognition, has also secured hosting rights and a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament, set to begin on Saturday.
Lastly, in alpine skiing, head coach Abby Copeland has been named EISA Alpine Coach of the Year for the second time, following a successful season that included multiple top finishes and All-American honors for her athletes. Copeland's leadership has significantly impacted the program since her arrival in 2009, showcasing the depth of talent at Middlebury beyond just the traditional spring sports.