Middlebury College

The #19 Middlebury men's soccer team tallied three goals over the opening 40 minutes to help seal a 4-0 victory against the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Saturday from the Empire State.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Charlie Johnson nearly pushed the Panthers in front 3:27 into the matchup, settling the ball in the box and firing a bid toward the left side that Mariner goalkeeper James Castoro laid out to turn away.
• Middlebury broke through with 32:50 remaining. Goalie Leon Brody fired a long ball that Johnson settled at midfield. Johnson then found a darting Colin Dugan, who took two dribbles and fired a bid from 18 yards out that found the left panel to make it 1-0.
• The navy and white added to its lead about 14 minutes later. Dugan flipped the ball from the USMMA sideline into the box. Harper Nicholl found an unmarked Will Sawin, who tapped it past an outstretched Castoro and into the left side of the net.
• Middlebury rustled the net for the third time with 40:21 expired in the contest.  Keagan Harder snuck a through-ball to Nate Dunlop and the rookie stuck out his right foot, sneaking a shot into the top left corner.
• The Mariners had the first chance of the second half in the 53rd minute. Andrew Campbell collected a bouncing ball after a corner kick and fired a low shot that defender Ari Klayman deflected away with his right hip.
• The Panthers added a fourth tally with 53:50 elapsed. Nicholl hustled down the right side to track down a through ball from Samuel Leroyer. The Panther shook his defender and delivered a cross-box pass to Leroyer, who tucked his header inside the right post. 
• In the 61st minute, Jackson Justice collected the ball and fired a rising shot toward the middle of the goal. Brody jumped off his line and snagged the ball with both hands for the stop.
• Ajak Dou readied and fired a left-footed shot from just outside the box with 9:19 to play. Castoro tracked the ball and dove to his right for the stop.
• The Panthers kept possession for the final five minutes and change to seal the shutout victory.

NOTES

• Dunlop and Leroyer tallied the first goals of their Middlebury careers.
• Middlebury's defense held the Mariners to eight shots with just one on target. 
• The Panthers have a 10-0-2 mark in their season openers dating back to 2013.
• Saturday's match marked the first meeting between Middlebury and USMMA in men's soccer.

The navy and white return to action on Tuesday for their home opener against Endicott at 4:00 p.m.