Wesleyan advanced to the NESCAC Championship match by a 5-4 score in penalty kicks after a scoreless draw on Saturday at Middlebury. The eighth-seeded Cardinals (8-7-2) will play sixth-seeded Bowdoin, who defeated fourth-seeded Connecticut College in the other semifinal, 2-0, while the Panthers conclude their season at 13-2-2 after they were not selected for the NCAA Tournament.

The first half saw numerous scoring opportunities by each side. In the 27th minute, Middlebury's Greg Conrad looked to put the Panthers ahead when he headed a ball that was saved by Wesleyan goalkeeper Jack Katkavich. The rebound came to the head of Kyle Moffat, but his attempt was saved off the line by Wesleyan's Charlie Gruner. Just over a minute later, a loose ball in the Middlebury penalty box was chipped just over the crossbar by Wesleyan's Max Jones.

In the 35th minute, a through ball from Middlebury's Adam Glaser to Conrad was chipped toward an open net, but a diving save to his left by Katkavich kept things scoreless. Katkavich ended the half with six saves in the first half, while Middlebury's Greg Sydor recorded a pair.

In the second stanza, things slowed down a bit with not as many chances taking place. A shot by Middlebury's Kirk Horton from 18 yards in the 49th minute was turned away by a diving save to his right by Katkavich. Almost 10 minutes later, Conrad redirected a cross that just sailed wide to the right of the Cardinal goal. The Cardinals nearly took the lead in the 73rd minute, but Chris Kafina's shot went wide left as the teams headed to extra play.

The first overtime saw Middlebury almost tally the winning goal in the 96th minute when Deklan Robinson's header on a set piece went just right of the far post. The second 10-minute overtime saw Wesleyan have opportunities in the 103rd and 106th minutes on attempts by Adam Howie-Caskell and Kafina, but Sydor made excellent saves on each shot.

The teams went to penalty kicks with Sydor in goal for the Panthers and Nick Jackson, who started the match in the field, moving to goalie for Wesleyan. Middlebury missed its first attempt, but the teams converted their ensuing eight tries. With the score tied at 4-4, Wesleyan's Dylan Hoy buried the ball into the center of the net for the fifth conversion, sending Wesleyan to Sunday's championship match.

Middlebury finished with a 19-11 advantage in shots, while Wesleyan possessed an 11-1 edge in corner kicks. Sydor was credited with five saves for Middlebury, while Katkavich turned away eight stops.