The #1/top-seeded Middlebury men's soccer team went back and forth with Amherst during Saturday's conference quarterfinal, but a goal with 22:10 remaining broke a 2-2 tie and propelled the Mammoths to a 3-2 victory from South Street Field.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Charlie Johnson tried to slide a shot into the right side of the net with 1:33 expired. Amherst goalie Trey Sheppard slid and smothered the chance.
- In the sixth minute, Sam Dolan hustled to the top of the box and blasted a shot that bounced off Johnson's right foot, but Sheppard corralled the chance into his midsection.
- The Panthers kept up the pressure in the 25th minute. Colin Dugan saved the ball on the endline and flicked it near the right post. Johnson rose for a point-blank header that goalie Spencer Kreitzer punched out of harm's way.
- With 5:28 remaining in the first half, the Mammoths broke the scoreless tie. Mohammad Nuhu fired a corner that deflected into the center of the box. Finn Hoefer got to the ball first and flicked it into the bottom-left portion of the netting to make it 1-0.
- Middlebury knotted the contest 3:09 into the second half. Dugan found a darting Antonio Cosentino on the left side of the box. The junior took a step and fired a screamer that rustled the middle of the net.
- Amherst nearly pulled ahead less than a minute later. Obed Opoku tried to flick a shot into an open net, but Orlando Cavaceppi-Dove slid over and tallied the team save.
- Jacob Dinzeo put the Mammoths back in front with 53:38 elapsed on a quick shot into the center of the net following a feed from Nuhu.
- The navy and white tied the contest at the 57:04 mark. Jaime Vega Espinosa stepped up and fired a bid from distance that sliced into the right panel.
- Hoefer created a breakaway opportunity for the visitors in the 68th minute. The sophomore hustled toward a loose ball and had a shot clang off the post. Leon Brody tried to retreat in time, but Hoefer headed the ball into the center of the net to give the purple and white a 3-2 edge.
- Dugan set up for a free kick with 14:50 remaining and tried to tuck it inside the left post. Kreitzer pushed the chance away to keep the lead.
- The Panthers pushed for an equalizer late, but Vega Espinosa's chance at the 89:08 mark sailed over the top of the bar as Amherst clinched the upset.
NOTES
- Vega Espinosa tallied his initial goal in a Middlebury uniform.
- The sides met for the 66th time and 11th in the NESCAC Tournament.
Middlebury awaits its NCAA fate when the seedings are announced on Monday, November 9.
