In the Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship May 20 at Johns Hopkins, undefeated Middlebury had to rally from a six-goal, second-half deficit to beat Amherst, 11-10, in overtime. Betsy Wheeler scored her third goal of the game 24 seconds into the first extra period to give the Panthers their third title in the last five years.

Despite two Middlebury goals to start the game, Kristin Osborn and Sarah Sheessele led a 9-1 run for Amherst.

"We knew Middlebury would make a run," Amherst coach Christine Paradis said. "We had some good looks in the second half but just didn't take advantage."

Just after the half, Julia Bergofsky provided the Panthers three of her team-high four goals, sparking Middlebury's 8-1 regulation-ending run in the second period. Two goals by Wheeler narrowed the lead to 9-7 for Middlebury with 19:12 remaining. After Amherst responded, Bergofsky scored two of the next three goals for the Panthers to tie the game with 4:46 left.

"It was a great comeback, especially not having been in that situation much," Middlebury coach Missy Foote said. "It was full of heart."

After Wheeler scored on a fast-break goal in overtime, both teams failed to convert shots on goal.

The Panthers finished the season 17-0, making it the fourth straight year that the championship team was undefeated. Middlebury advanced to the championship game with a 7-1 win over Mary Washington, while Amherst beat the College of New Jersey in overtime, 11-10, in the semifinals. The championship game was a rematch of the 1999 title game, which Middlebury also won on the same field.

Wheeler was named the tournament's most outstanding player and was joined by teammates Bergofsky, Kate Robertson, Katie Perine and Sarah Grenert on the all-tournament team. Abigail Ouimet, Osborn and Kristin Diamond were honored for Amherst, along with Mary Washington's Heather Carter and Kate Weller and the College of New Jersey's Carin Heller and Megan McCall.

Semifinals

Mary Washington scoring -- Pam Kramer 2, Briana Gervat 2.

Middlebury scoring -- Char Glessner 3, Julia Bergofsky 2, Katie Simpson 2, Betsy Wheeler 2, Kristin Hanley 2, Meg Bonney, Dalton Cox, Liv Wilson.

Shots: Mary Washington 16; Middlebury 50. Goalkeeper saves: Mary Washington -- Heather Carter 21; Middlebury -- Sarah Grenert 5.

Amherst scoring -- Abigail Ouimet 5, Kristin Osborn 2, Shara Scheessele 2, Allison Aldrich, Mary Kate Allen.

Col. of New Jersey scoring -- Tara Prindible 3, Liz O'Conner 2, Carin Heller 2, Katie Wagenblast 2, Megan McCall.

Shots: Amherst 20, Col. of New Jersey 37. Goalkeeper saves: Amherst -- Brooke Diamond 19; Col. of New Jersey -- Tiffany Trockenbrod 6.

Championship

Amherst scoring -- Kristin Osborn 4, Shara Sheessele, Erin Beaumont, Allison Aldrich, Mary Kate Allen.

Middlebury scoring -- Julia Berogsky 4, Betsy Wheeler 3, Kristin Hanley 2, Char Glessner, Meg Bonney.

Shots: Amherst 21, Middleburry 18. Goalkeeper saves: Amherst -- Brooke Diamond 14; Middlebury -- Sarah Grenert 5.