Boasting a three-game winning streak and buoyed by an exhilarating upset of Bowdoin, the Amherst women’s field hockey team entered last weekend’s matchup with Middlebury on a high. However, the Panthers proved too much for the upstart Mammoths, as Amherst suffered its first setback of the season in a 2-1 loss.

The Mammoths started the game on the defensive as Middlebury demonstrated the accuracy of their No. 5 ranking, peppering Amherst’s goalie Emilie Flamme ’20 with shots. This early pressure paid off for the visitors as a shot from Audrey Quirk found its way past Flamme to give the Panthers a deserved 1-0 lead. The remainder of the first half proved to be a defensive battle, with neither team able to find any offensive rhythm. Middlebury entered the half clinging to their one-goal lead.

However, Amherst came out flying to open the second half. Although Middlebury was able to weather some of the Mammoths’ offensive surge, Elizabeth Turnbull ’18 was not to be denied, notching Amherst’s sole goal of the game to knot the affair at one.

However, the Panthers quickly responded, scoring just 18 seconds after Turnbull’s goal. This goal would be the last of the game, and though the Mammoths strove to find an equalizer, Middlebury’s defense and goalie proved up to the task.

Amherst will look to return to its winning ways when it faces Endicott College at home on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m.