The #3 Middlebury men's soccer team scored a goal in each half and held off a late Vassar push, securing a 2-1 victory Sunday in NCAA Tournament second-round action. With two goals today, the Panthers set a program single-season record with 53 tallies this fall.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• The Brewers had a quality scoring chance on a corner kick 1:45 into the opening frame, but Eli Torrey's shot sailed wide of the right post.
• Nearly 11 minutes later, Middlebury looked to get on the board but a sharp-angled bid by Tyler Payne was saved by goalie Jacob Raphan.
• The Panthers tallied the half's lone goal with 17:32 expired. Shane Farrell lofted a shot from along the right sideline that sailed over the outstretched hands of Raphan into the upper-left corner for the 1-0 advantage.
• In the 26th minute, Vassar's Joshua Lee collected a loose ball near the center line and raced down the field. Panther goalie Joey Waterman came charging off his line and cut down the angle, saving a close-range bid by Lee.
• The Brewers had their best opportunity five minutes later on a free kick from just outside the box. Arden Tobolski launched a bending attempt that was kicked away on the goalline by Middlebury's Luke Madden to maintain the one-goal Panther lead.
• The hosts struck 3:34 into the second stanza as Keagan Harder drew a foul in the box and was awarded a penalty kick. Harder approached the ball, calmly tucking his shot into the lower-right corner for a 2-0 edge.
• The Brewers sliced the deficit in half 3:50 later. Torrey sent a cross into the box that Jared Fiske volleyed into the back of the net to make it a 2-1 contest.
• Following a foul, Colin Dugan blasted a curling bid that was saved by Raphan who rose up to thwart the attempt at 59:54.
• Vassar nearly tied the contest in the 66th minute as Tobolski found space on the right side, but his shot slid just wide of the left post.
• Madden had a strong chance with 17:39 remaining, but his attempt off his body clanged off the left post and out of harm's way.
• The visitors pushed for the equalizer over the last 15 minutes, but the Panther defense stood tall and didn't allow a shot for the final 2-1 score.

NOTES

• Nilsson's helper on Sunday's first goal gives him 18 for his career, moving into fifth place in the program's record books.
• Harder's tally was his team-leading ninth this season, while Farrell recorded his fourth.
• The goal total of 53 this season surpasses the mark of 52 set last fall.
• The team improved to 11-1-1 on South Street Field in 2024, tying the record for home wins with the 2007 squad that went 11-0-0. Middlebury also collected its 16th overall win, moving into a tie for second in program history with the 2010 team.
• Saturday's matchup was the second between the Panthers and the Brewers in men's soccer. The programs played to a 2-2 draw during the 2023 regular season in New York.

The Panthers will face the winner of Colorado College and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the third round of the NCAA Tournament at home next weekend, with the rest of the bracket and game times to be announced.