Middlebury held off a late comeback by Bates as the Panthers opened the year with a 14-12 road win in Maine. Middlebury jumped out to a 5-0 lead behind a pair of goals from Matt Ferrer. Bates scored three of the next four goals to cut the lead to 6-3 with 10:43 left in the second quarter.
Middlebury closed the quarter with three of four goals to lead 9-4 at the intermission. The teams exchanged the next six goals, leaving Middlebury with a 12-7 lead after three quarters of play. The Panthers took a 14-10 lead with 10:28 left on a goal from Rory Sanborn, before the Bobcats scored the final three goals of the game.
Ferrer led the Panthers with five goals, while Tom Petty and Rory Sanborn added two goals apiece. Peter Smith had a goal and two assists in the game, while Jim Cabrera had a goal and an assist.
Bates keeper Will Paddock made 10 saves in goal, while Peter Britt made 11 saves for the Panthers.
Middlebury SCORING: GOALS: Matt Ferrer 5; Rory Sanborn 2; Tom Petty 2; Mike Stone 1; Pete Smith 1; Jim Cabrera 1; Skyler Hopkins 1; Matt Virtue 1. ASSISTS: Mike Stone 3; Pete Smith 2; Jim Cabrera 1; Rory Sanborn 1.
Bates College SCORING: GOALS: Brent Morin 3; Mike Medeiros 3; Tyler Moore 2; Les Wade 2; Nathan Kellogg 1; Haynes Johnston 1. ASSISTS: Mike Medeiros 3; Brent Morin 3; John Adams 1; Mike Henry 1; Tyler Moore 1.
