EWING, N.J. – The No. 8 TCNJ lacrosse team saw its unbeaten start come to an end with a hard-fought 13-9 loss to No. 3 Middlebury on a cold, gray afternoon at the TCNJ Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.

Ally Tobler scored two of her three goals in the first quarter for the Lions (6-1), who led 3-2 after one before the Panthers ripped off five straight goals in the second to take control. TCNJ got within two four times in the second half but was unable to get over the hump against a Middlebury squad that knocked off its fourth nationally ranked team already.

The game got off to an auspicious start for the Lions, who found themselves in front 1-0 just 31 seconds in on a free-position goal from Tobler. TCNJ's leading goal-scorer struck again to counter Middlebury's opener, picking up a loose ball at the left post and stuffing it home for a 2-1 lead.

The Panthers (6-0) tied it again, but Anna Devlin scored on a dazzling individual display to put the Lions in front by one once more at the 1:06 mark of the first.

The offense stalled for much of the second quarter, however, and Middlebury made the Lions pay. The Panthers gained a foothold in the period and capped off a run of five unanswered markers with a goal by Lily Riseberg that made it 7-3 late in the first half. Jennifer LaRocca, who finished with three goals and two assists, caused a turnover on a clearing attempt and then scored on a feed from Tobler on the re-start to stop the Panthers' spurt and bring TCNJ to within 7-4 at half.

Devlin's second goal of the afternoon made it 7-5 at the 10-minute mark of the third, setting off a see-saw in which the teams traded the next six goals. TCNJ closed to within two three more times but was never able to get closer, and two Middlebury markers in a 38-second span extended the margin to 12-8 early in the fourth.

LaRocca's five points ran her team-leading total to 50 on the season. Sabrina Phillips and Jillian Westerby had four draw controls apiece for the Lions, who lost that battle (14-12) for the first time this season.

Earley, Getman, and Hope Shue all had three goals for Middlebury, while Riseberg dished out five assists.

Annie Enrietto made 10 saves for Middlebury and Julia Charest had seven for TCNJ. Middlebury owned a 33-25 advantage in the shot department and a slim edge (20-19) in shots on goal.

TCNJ will take the weekend off before hosting No. 2 Gettysburg on Tuesday.