The 14th-ranked Middlebury men's lacrosse team opened up its season with an 8-6 win at Connecticut College (0-1, 0-1) on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers (1-0, 1-0) broke a 6-6 tie with the final two goals of the game to earn the victory. Middlebury returns to action on Tuesday when it plays its home opener against Endicott at 3:00 p.m.

Conn. College held a 2-1 lead after one quarter with Jack Gould putting the Panthers on the board. Henry Riehl tied the game early in the second quarter before the Camels went back on top 3-2 at the 13:28 mark on a tally from Tucker Mscisz. Just over three minutes later, Wes Quinzani knotted the game at 3-3, which is where it stayed heading into the halftime break.

The teams traded the first three goals of the third quarter, with Jake Schneider's goal sandwiched in between a pair of Camel markers. Parker Lawlor knotted the game at 5-5 with 5:40 remaining, before Schneider netted his second of the quarter exactly three minutes later to give Middlebury its first lead of the game at 6-5.

Just 1:10 into the final quarter, Jackson Kleintz scored his fourth of the contest for Conn. College to tie the game at 6-6 with 13:50 remaining. Lawlor struck again with his second of the half, putting Middlebury on top 7-6 with 8:10 showing on the clock. The Panthers sealed the game late, when Lawlor netted his third of the game on an open net for the 8-6 victory.

Lawlor finished with three goals and an assist for Middlebury, while Schneider scored twice. Will Ernst made seven saves in goal during the first half, while Will Perry played the final 30 minutes with two saves for his first collegiate win. Eric Rogers caused three turnovers and scooped up three ground balls for the Panther defense.

Kleintz led all scorers with four goals for the Camels, while Jameson Hill made 12 saves. Middlebury held a sizable 47-28 shots advantage in the game.