WATERVILLE -- A seven-goal run by Middlebury was the difference as the Panthers held off Colby College 17-11 in New England Small College Athletic Conference women's lacrosse action Saturday afternoon.

Middlebury entered the game third in the nation in Division III, while Colby was ranked fifth.

Junior Kate Sheridan scored just 27 seconds into the first half to give Colby a 1-0 lead.

After a Middlebury goal, the Mules went up 2-1 when Kathleen Kramer scored off a pass from Lauren Strazzula. But Caroline Kirkendoll tied the score just 10 seconds later, and the Panthers scored the next six goals.

Middlebury led 9-4 at the break before Colby pulled within 11-8 early in the second half. The Panthers called timeout and re-established order, pushing their lead to 16-9 with four consecutive goals.

"Part of the reason that they got that comeback was we were losing the ball," Middlebury coach Missy Foote said. "So we just talked quickly about being careful with passing and shooting."

Becky Julian led Colby (4-3 overall, 1-2 NESCAC) with three goals and three assists. Sheridan added two goals and two assists and Strazzula and Amy Campbell each scored twice.

Men's Lacrosse

Middlebury 13, Colby 7: The Mules had their five-game winning streak snapped in NESCAC action in Middlebury, Vt. Caddy Brooks and Mark Squicciarino each scored twice for Colby (5-1, 2-1) while Whit McCarthy, Drew Piekarski and Stew Brown also scored. Alex Farmer made 10 saves. Skyler Hopkins led Middlebury (6-0, 4-0) with two goals and three assists.

Thomas 11, Becker 3: Mike Ross scored five goals to lead the Terriers to the North Atlantic Conference win in Leicester, Mass. Gardiner Area High School graduate Kolby Peckham added three goals and two assists for Thomas (1-3, 1-2). Cony High graduate Chris Vashon chipped in with three assists. Gunner Siverly scored twice and Dustin Green had one goal. Josh Collelo made 11 saves.

Josh Fask scored two goals for Becker (1-3, 0-2). Peter Fellows stopped 13 shots.

Baseball

Maine 6-1, Wagner 2-2: The Black Bears scored four runs in the second inning, including a three-run double by Tony Patane on their way to a win in the opening game of a doubleheader in Staten Island, N.Y. In the opener, Joe Miller pitched a complete game for Maine (6-12) allowing two runs on six hits.

Colby 18, Castleton 17: Dom Morrill's infield hit with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning scored John Lerner with the game-winning run. Kyle McKay had four hits to lead Colby. Nick Spillane had three hits and four RBIs, while Ryan Conlon belted two triples and drove in four runs. Colin Riggs and Richard Newton also had three hits for the Mules and Craig Cooper had pair of hits.

Softball

Maine 10-2, Stony Brook 5-7: After 28 straight losses, the Black Bears won their first game of the season. Maine won the opener behind home runs from Whitney Spangle and Kristen Calvetti. Alexis Souhlaris and Terren Hall had three hits each for the Black Bears (1-29) in the second-game loss.

Also Saturday: Mt. Blue graduate Shannon Yates won the long jump (17 feet, 2 inches), the triple jump (36-1) and the high jump (5-0) as the Gettysburg College women's track and field team defeated Dickinson College and host Franklin & Marshall College at the Little 3 Championships.