The third-ranked Middlebury men's soccer team secured its first unbeaten regular season record since 1998 with a 1-0 victory over Williams. With the triumph, the Panthers earn the top seed in the upcoming NESCAC Tournament and will host a quarterfinal contest on Saturday.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Middlebury had a great chance to score just over five minutes into the game. Tyler Payne sent a beautiful through ball to Will Sawin, but goalie Ben Diffley came barreling out to deny a one-time attempt by Sawin.
• The Panthers looked to take the lead with 16:28 expired. Hank Nelson received a pass from Gavin Randolph and rifled a one-timer that looked destined to tuck inside the right pipe, but Diffley was able to get a hand on the ball to deny the bid.
• Middlebury continued its offensive pressure throughout the half, with its best opportunity coming at the 23:04 mark. Randolph sent the ball from the end line to the top of the 18-yard box where Eujin Chae was waiting, but Chae's blast sailed just above the upper-right 90.
• The Panthers broke through at the 48:57 mark. Kyle Nilsson drew a foul inside the box, and Jordan Saint-Louis buried his fifth penalty kick of the season for the 1-0 edge.
• Middlebury had an outstanding chance to double up on the Ephs with 57:29 on the clock. Saint-Louis beat a pair of Williams' defenders and smashed a low shot that sent Diffley diving, but the ball whistled just wide of the right pipe.
• During the 62nd minute, Nilsson maneuvered around several Eph defenders and rocketed a shot that hit the left post and ricocheted out of bounds. 
• Just six minutes later, Saint-Louis eluded three defenders and fired a shot toward the lower-left corner, but Diffley was there to make the diving save and thwart the Panthers.
• The Panthers had several quality chances to strike again in the waning minutes, but a strong Williams' defense held Middlebury at bay.

NOTES

• This marks the first season since 1998 that the Panthers have finished the regular season with an unbeaten record (11-0-4). 
• Middlebury and Connecticut College finished with unblemished marks and are the first NESCAC teams since 2019.
• Goalie Ryan Grady tallied his ninth shutout of the year, moving him into a tie in the record books for sixth place. The Panther is the career leader, increasing his total to 39 today.
• Today's contest was the 75th all-time meeting between Middlebury and Williams.

 
The NESCAC Tournament seedings will be announced on Tuesday, October 24 at the conclusion of the last regular season contest.