The third-ranked Middlebury men's soccer team held #15 Bowdoin to four shots and rustled the net twice in the final 45 minutes to secure the 2-0 clean sheet on Saturday.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Each side had its share of quality play across the opening minutes, but the first quality scoring opportunity materialized with 27:19 expired. Patrick Brady connected for a quick shot as the Panther defense crashed. Middlebury goalkeeper Leon Brody smothered the bid to keep the contest scoreless.
- Harper Nicholl nearly nudged the navy and white in front with 14:53 left in the first half, sprinting to a one-on-one opportunity with Polar Bear netminder Oliver King. The goalie raised his glove to deny the one-timer.
- Alden Mehta uncorked a bid from the top of the box that looked destined for the back of the net, but his bid clipped the bottom of the crossbar and bounded away in the 34th minute.
- Early in the second session, Dylan Payne emerged from a corner-kick scrum and fired a sharp attempt that skidded across the ground and into the lower-left corner of the goal to establish a 1-0 Middlebury advantage with 43:32 remaining.
- In the 58th and 59th minutes, Will Sawin and Payne each had attempts blocked by the Polar Bear back line.
- A battle in the midfield ensued, featuring nearly 20 minutes of play without a scoring threat.
- The next shot on goal came from the foot of Charlie Johnson in the 87th minute. The forward cut back to shake a pair of defenders before jostling the netting to secure the 2-0 final score.
NOTES
- Payne logged his second goal, while Johnson's marker was his first of the season.
- Brody picked up three saves across 90 minutes in front of the Panther goal.
- Middlebury and Bowdoin clashed in the 45th installment of the all-time series, with the Panthers leading 26-15-10.
The Panthers return to South Street Field for a three-match week, beginning with a 4:00 p.m. contest against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on Tuesday.
