Soccer slips up for first time in 18 games

Author: Kevin Carpenter

The past two weekends saw both a convincing Panther victory and an upsetting loss. The Middlebury men's soccer team defeated Tufts at home 2-0 on Oct. 11, but suffered a stunning 1-0 loss the following Saturday, Oct. 18th to Bates. The loss marked the first for the Panthers on the Field Turf and the end of their 18-game unbeaten streak.

The Tufts game showcased a dominant performance by Middlebury. The game saw its first goal in the first few minutes with a header from Tyler Macnee '12, his seventh goal on the year.

"We did an excellent job of controlling the ball and connecting passes, especially as we moved toward the goal," said keeper Jamie Wheeler '10.

The second half began similarly to the first with a quick goal. Seven minutes into the frame, Andrew Banadda '10 rifled a shot off a feed from Carson Cornbrooks '11 for his first goal of the season. The lethal offensive push was maintained throughout the game with the Panthers outshooting Tufts 24-3.

The offensive onslaught accompanied with strong defensive play ensured the win.

"Our defense played simple and safe when we had the ball, and we pressured them immediately when they had possession," commented Harrison Watkins '11. "Tufts really was not able to do anything too creative."

The following NESCAC game against Bates resulted in the Panther's first loss of the season.

The game was a fantastic show of Middlebury offensive production, yet the scoring chances never seemed to come to fruition.

Shots came early on from Macnee, Corey Moffat '09 and two blasts from tri-captain Allen Bourdon '08.5 in the 23rd and 41st minutes. The team had few troubles in bringing the ball to Bates' defensive zone and dominated possession within it. The trouble came with getting that final touch to goal.

"I think our team needs to improve on our final pass/touch in the final third of the field, and cut down on our mental errors through out the game," said Watkins.

The second half saw the same offensive pressure as the first. Tri-captains Baer Fisher '09 and Bourdon both ripped volleys at goal for the better part of 23 minutes, but all were ultimately saved. Shots also came from forward Micah Wood '10 and midfielder Robbie Redmond '12.

The decisive goal came with six minutes left in the game when Bates sophomore Dae Ro Lee scored a once in a lifetime goal in which his corner kick bent around keeper Brian Bush '09 and fell in the upper left corner. After this shocking goal, the Panthers gave one final offensive push with even Bush coming into Bates' 18-yard box. Middlebury took several shots on goal in these last few minutes, but nothing found the net.

"I think overall the loss began earlier in the week as our preparation underestimated Bates from the start," said Wheeler. "We were slow to start and no one ever really appeared on the same page."

Forward Stephen Hart '10 commented, "The remaining few games before playoffs are very important and it is critical that we as a team do not look past a single one of them. We need to work hard everyday and improve our game each time we take the field in order to be ready come playoff time."

The Middlebury squad hopes to close the final four games of the regular season with a string of strong performances before NESCAC playoffs begin Nov. 2.