The Middlebury men's soccer team had its bid to earn a spot in the NESCAC Championship thwarted by Hamilton, as the Continentals scored 5:32 into overtime for a 2-1 win on Saturday at Amherst. Fourth-seeded Hamilton (10-6-1) advances to the title game for the first time, while the sixth-seeded Panthers end their season at 10-4-3.

The Panthers opened the scoring 19:34 into the match on a play that started in the team's defensive third. Drew Goulart carried the ball over midfield and centered a pass to Daniel O'Grady, who directed a shot on goal from outside of the Hamilton penalty area. Continental keeper Linds Cadwell was unable to control the rebound and Panther Greg Conrad pounced on the free ball for his fifth tally of the season.

Hamilton quickly countered, getting the equalizer 2:38 later. Jefri Schmidt netted the goal, heading in a long entry pass by Mike Lubelczyk for his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Middlebury had two quality scoring chances in the final 20 minutes of the half. Cadwell punched a shot by Ben Potter wide of the right post on the first bid and made a diving stop on a shot by Goulart from the left side to send the teams into the half tied at 1-1.

The Panthers almost regained the lead three minutes into the second stanza when Goulart created space at the top of the arc and laced a shot on goal. Cadwell had the answer, as he pushed the scoring attempt over the cross bar.

In the 53rd minute, the Continentals came close to taking their first lead of the game on a shot from the right side by Lubelczyk, but Greg Sydor dove to his right to make the save. The Panther keeper made another acrobatic save minutes later, leaping up to direct a header by Schmidt over the crossbar.

Middlebury produced another good chance when Adam Glaser ripped a shot from the left side in the 70th minute that Cadwell denied with a diving save.

After the team finished regulation tied, Hamilton came within inches of winning the match in the 92nd minute, but Aidan Ward touched a bouncing ball just wide of the right post.

The Continentals secured a spot the championship game minutes later when Eli Morris one-touched a corner kick by Alex Cadet into the right corner of the net with 4:28 remaining in the extra session.

Sydor tied a season-high total with eight saves, while Cadwell recorded 10. Hamilton finished with 17-14 advantage in shots, while the Panthers had a 7-4 edge in corner kicks.