As the leaves change colors on campus, the soccer season is in full swing at Middlebury. The eighth-ranked men's soccer team won twice last week in workmanlike fashion: 2–0 over St. Lawrence at home on Tuesday and 1–0 at Trinity on Saturday, courtesy of Hugo Horowitz's ’27 dramatic winner.
Crowds dotted the hill overlooking South Street Field last Tuesday as the game kicked off under sunny skies. The Panthers were off to a rapid start, peppering the Saints’ net in the first 10 minutes, but could not convert any of their chances into goals.
Middlebury was soon on the score sheet though, with the opening goal coming in the 14th minute. Dylan Payne's ’28.5 corner was deflected by the Saints’ goalkeeper into the path of Keagan Harder ’28, who fired it home for an early lead.
The Panthers maintained control in the second half but still only had their 1–0 lead to show. Then, 62 minutes in, a high arching pass found the foot of a Saints player who gently chipped the ball over goalie Joey Waterman ’26. The ball bounced, the crowd held its breath, but it squeaked just wide of the post. Middlebury remained in the lead.
The next significant action came a couple of minutes later, as Pablo Gonzalez ’27, a new transfer from UConn, glanced a header inches wide off a corner.
In the 83rd minute, Ari Klayman ’27 fired a low, fizzing shot from outside the area. The ball flew past the keeper, doubling Middlebury’s advantage as the team entered the closing stages of the match. With a more comfortable lead, players got an opportunity, including sophomore walk-on Theo Haythe ’28.
The buzzer finally rang out, marking the end of the game and Middlebury's first NESCAC win of the season.
"I thought it was the best team win we have had in a while," said head coach Alex Elias. "A lot of guys who have been waiting to earn their stripes got their chance and did really well."
The occasion was illuminated by a strong start by rookie midfielder Payne. "We look strong defensively," he said after the game. "We dominated the whole game, but we were just missing that final pass."
It was a solid performance for the Panthers, but their struggles in the final third would be tested again against Trinity — a contest that the Panthers won 9–0 last season.
Saturday’s game in Hartford, CT had a distinctly drearier backdrop than Tuesday’s match in Middlebury. The balance of play was different as well, with the Bantams starting the game with back-to-back chances.
However, the Panthers soon turned the screw. After six minutes, Payne fired the ball into the upper right corner, but the assistant referee raised his flag: Offside.
Middlebury came close a couple more times in the first half, including when Waterman's throw sent Gavin Randolph ’26 scampering down the sideline, crossing it to Harder, who then fired a shot off the crossbar.
The Panthers still could not find the net in the second half, but not for lack of chances. One opportunity came in the 66th minute, as Will Sawin ’27 saw the ball drop to him in the penalty area and fired a shot right at Trinity's goalie.
Then, with 16 minutes remaining, Eduardo Casanova ’26 lined up a corner to the back post. The ball bounced off a couple players before Horowitz smashed it into the net. The relief was palpable. As Trinity heads drooped, the Panthers wheeled away to the sidelines to celebrate with the team.
With that touch of magic, Middlebury escaped Hartford with a win. The team is now 11-0-3 in its last 14 contests against Trinity dating back to 2014.
The Panthers proved last week they are not a team that gets tossed around. They give away next to nothing at the back and work tirelessly off the ball. Although the offense has not clicked yet, sometimes the difference between a good season and a great one comes down to winning games that do not come easily. Middlebury will face another test this weekend, looking for revenge this Saturday at home against Amherst — the same team who knocked them out of the NCAA tournament last year.
