A goal just 92 seconds into play Saturday proved to be the difference, as the Middlebury men's soccer team pulled away for a 3-0 NESCAC victory over visiting Colby as part of Middlebury's Family Weekend activities. Middlebury (6-1-1, 3-1-1) returns to action next Saturday morning when it travels to Tufts for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff, while the Mules (2-5-1, 1-3-1) host Husson on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.

The hosts scored the would-be game-winning goal in the second minute. Following a Panther corner and the ball cleared out of the box, Adam Glaser collected the loose ball near midfield and drove down the left side. He sent a bending ball into the wind that found the head of Daniel O'Grady, who headed it in from six yards away for his second of the season.

Colby's best scoring chance of the half came in the ninth minute when Kyle Douglas had a shot from in front of the goal mouth 12 yards away blocked by Middlebury's Deklan Robinson.

The score remained a one-goal advantage in favor of Middlebury headed into the halftime intermission. The Panthers held an 11-2 advantage in shots in the first half as well as a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.

Out of the break, Colby looked to tie the match in the 50th minute. Lucas Pereira worked his way behind the Panther defense, but the scoring attempt was turned away with a lunging save to his right by Middlebury goalkeeper Greg Sydor.

The Panthers doubled their lead to 2-0 at the 62:09 mark. Taking a free kick following a foul 75 yards away from the Colby goal, Robinson struck the ball that was aided by a strong gust of wind. The ball flew through the air all the way behind the Mule defense, as a charging Glaser one-touched the ball out of the air into the net from point-blank range.

Middlebury grabbed a 3-0 lead a little more than 12 minutes later. On a corner kick, the ball was curled into the box to Tom Dils, who headed the ball to Robinson. With defenders closing in, Robinson flicked it with his head to Kirk Horton, as Horton brought the flick from his chest quickly to his feet for the goal from seven yards out.

In the 82nd minute, the Mules had their best opportunity as a shot by Douglas from 12 yards away was blocked and the redirected ball was saved by Sydor.

Middlebury held advantages in both shots (23-5) and corner kicks (9-3) for the match. Sydor tallied a pair of saves for his fourth shutout of the season and 12th of his career, while Dan Carlson had a pair of saves in 6:30 before exiting with an injury. John Pappas logged the final 83:30 with nine stops.

With the victory, Middlebury reclaims the Michael P. Russell Memorial Cup. This cup was established in memory of Michael Russell who graduated from Middlebury in 1998. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 36, leaving behind a wife and two daughters. Michael had siblings attend both Middlebury and Colby, thus setting up the annual match.