Sports Briefs

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MEN'S GOLF TIES FOR 14TH AT NEIGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Men's golf wrapped up its season this Monday and Tuesday by finishing in a 14th-place tie in the NEIGA Championship at the Captains Golf Club. The field included teams from Division I, II and III.

Captain Harry Bane '08.5, the N.E. College Player of the Year, finished his Middlebury career in superb fashion, shooting a 68 in the secound round, which tied for the best score among all participants in either round. Bane finished tied for fifth place overall.

Michael McCormick '09 also played excellent golf in the second round with a score of 74 and tied for 35th place overall.

CROSS COUNTRY IMPRESSES AT ALBANY INVITATIONAL

This past weekend, both the men's and women's teams were in action at the University of Albany Invitational, which featured Division I, II and III teams from all around the region.

The women's second place finish out of 24 was particularly impressive; of the 22 teams it defeated, nine were from D-I schools. Elise Moody-Roberts '12 paced Middlebury, finishing 13th overall with a time of 18:21.

The men's team also turned in an excellent performance, placing sixth out of 22 teams and third among D-III schools. Veteran Jack Wambach '09 led the Panthers with a 27th-place finish of 25:51, followed by Peter Hoffman '10 who finished in 37th place. Jack Terrett crossed the finish line right behind him in 38th place.

Cross country has the weekend off before beginning the NESCAC Championship on Nov. 1.

- Jeff Klein, Sports Editor



MEN'S RUGBY ADVANCES TO NEW ENGLAND SEMI-FINALS

The Middlebury men's rugby club competed in the New England quarterfinals this past weekend, beating the University of Rhode Island on the Middlebury fields 25-19. Despite having beaten UMASS-Amherst 104-3 the previous weekend and having outscored opponents 303 to 23 on the year, the squad was not surprised by the close nature of the match. Now, having proved to themselves and opponents that not only can they win blowouts, but close games as well, they find themselves well positioned for another run at the New England Championship.

The Panthers never trailed in the match against Rhode Island, jumping out to an early 15 to nil lead. While they were unable to pull away as they have been able to do at times this year, they were able to control play and limit Rhode Island's ability to mount a comeback.

Middlebury's forwards were especially exceptional on the afternoon, constantly putting pressure on the Rhodles back line. Israel Card '09 was playing in his first match since returning from a sprained AC joint but never seemed hindered by the injury. His tenacious play forced many turnovers that led to Panther opportunities.

The victory sets up a match with the Coast Guard this Saturday, Oct. 25. Driven by meeting in the New England finals for the last several years, this rivalry is one of the best in the region if not all of Division II Rugby. While the Coast Guard has uncharacteristically slipped up a few times this year, it is not at all far-fetched to expect another match in the vein of last years' epic overtime contest in the New England final. Middlebury dropped that match 39-22 and one can assume that the defeat still sits heavy in the stomachs of many of the upperclassmen.

Should the Panthers beat the Coast Guard they will play for the New England final on Sunday.

- Peter Baumann, Sports Editor