Connecticut College scored the game's first three goals as the Camels handed Middlebury a 3-1 setback Friday in NESCAC play. The Panthers (1-14-2, 1-10-0) travel to Tufts on Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. faceoff.

The Camels (4-10-2, 2-7-2) netted the first goal 6:34 into the contest when Matt Gaetz one-timed a rebound from the bottom of the left circle into the Middlebury net. Conn. College had a chance to add to its lead minutes later skating into the Panther zone on a three-on-one rush, but goalie Stephen Klein got a piece of Liam Ferguson's shot with his catching glove to make the save.

In the second stanza, Middlebury had a quality chance that came in transition. Kamil Tkaczuk touched a pass to Trevor Turnbull in the neutral zone before he skated into the slot and directed a shot on goal that Camel goalie Avery Gobbo stopped. Conn. College scored moments later when Brian Belisle's shot from the bottom of the right faceoff circle went off the post and in for a 2-0 lead at the 11:55 mark. The hosts made it 3-0 just 13 seconds later on a shot from the right point was tipped by Jacob Moreau that went into the Panther net.

Middlebury got on the scoreboard at 1:55 of the third period when Travis Stephens redirected a shot from the point by Connor Lloyd. Brett Dineen also assisted on the play as he and Lloyd each picked up their first collegiate point on the play. The Panthers pulled Klein with 1:49 left in the game and nearly got back on the scoreboard. Stephens had a couple of pokes at a loose puck at the top of the crease that were blocked, while another bid went wide in the closing seconds to make the final 3-1.

Klein finished with 37 saves for the Panthers, while Gobbo registered 19 for Conn. College. Both teams were scoreless on the power play with the Panthers getting three chances and the Camels five opportunities.