The Middlebury men's soccer team (13-4-3) mounted a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over John Carroll on Saturday in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers advance to the quarterfinals, taking on host and 19th-ranked Amherst, with a trip to the final four on the line. The Blue Streaks conclude their season with a 14-4-2 mark.
Middlebury heavily controlled the play and the possession in the early stages of the first half.
Jordan Saint-Louis drew a free kick in the 17th minute with a strong run up the left side before being fouled just outside of the penalty area. Saint-Louis attempted the direct kick and sliced the ball with his right foot towards the middle of the goal, but a John Carroll defender headed the ball away from danger.
The Panthers kept the pressure on with another solid scoring chance at the 21:20 mark, but
Michael McFarlane's header sailed just over the crossbar.
John Carroll's first chance of the game came with 30:25 elapsed with a crossing attempt that was punched away by Middlebury goalkeeper
Ryan Grady. The ball bounced right to the foot of Nicholas Graeca, who immediately sent a shot towards goal that was blocked by Middlebury's
William O'Brien with Grady still scrambling to get back into position.
John Carroll opened the scoring with 10 seconds left in the first half with a free kick from 30 yards out by Will Turrittin that deflected into the back of the net for the 1-0 edge.
The Panthers responded at the 53:07 mark, knotting the game 1-1. After a scramble in the 18 following a corner kick,
Liam Sloan collected the ball and sent a pass to Saint-Louis on the left wing. Saint-Louis dribbled down the left, before burying the shot in the far corner.
Middlebury's
Aiden Pape tallied the game-winner with 71:59 expired. Saint-Louis beat a defender on the right side, before sending a cross to Pape in the box. Pape dove towards the goal, getting his head on the ball and redirecting it into the bottom right for the 2-1 edge.
John Carroll had a chance to tie the contest in the 83rd minute, but Michael Burrington's header attempt was thwarted by Grady, securing the 2-1 victory for the Panthers.
Middlebury held an advantage in shots (14-8) and corner kicks (10-3) during the triumph. Grady made one save in goal for the Panthers, while Connor Robinson stopped four shots for the Blue Streaks.
