BOX SCORE

BRUNSWICK, Maine - Middlebury senior Mike Stone scored six goals as the seventh-ranked Panther lacrosse team survived a furious second-half rally from 13th-ranked Bowdoin in a New England Small College Athletic Conference game on Saturday. The Panthers, who squandered a seven-goal lead and trailed with eight minutes remaining, improve to 7-1 (5-1 NESCAC) as Bowdoin (7-2, 4-1) falls in conference play for the first time this season.

Middlebury was outstanding in the early going, as face-off specialist Dave Campbell won eight off 11 draws in the opening quarter to spark the Panther offense. Tied at three apiece late in the first quarter, Middlebury rolled off seven-straight goals, including three from Stone, to take a 10-3 advantage with 9:35 left in the second period. Bowdoin was able to trim the lead to 11-5 at the break thanks to a late transition goal from long-stick defender Bryan Holden.

The Polar Bear defense clamped down in the third quarter, and held Middlebury scoreless for nearly 15 minutes as they chipped away at the deficit. Owen Smith, Adam Tracy and Harry Ashforth all scored quick goals to open the third frame to cut the lead to 11-8. After Pete Smith pushed the Middlebury lead back to four goals, 12-8, Bowdoin posted five goals in an eight-minute to end the third and open the fourth quarter. Adam Tracy tied the game with 10:46 remaining and Cullen Winkler gave Bowdoin the lead when he found the back of the net with 9:09 to go.

Middlebury's Skyler Hopkins was able to bring the Panthers even with a score at 7:27, setting up a hectic final stretch. After a long Bowdoin possession resulted in a save by Panther goaltender Peter Britt, Middlebury took possession with under two minutes to play. Chris Teves found Stone at the top of the circle, and the senior tri-captain stepped into a shot from 10 yards that ripped the twine with 1:04 remaining. Bowdoin was able to get the ball back with under a minute to play, but a late attempt by Rob Halliday was saved by Britt, sealing the victory.

Britt ended with 13 saves for Middlebury while McCampbell stopped 14 shots for Bowdoin. Hopkins posted three goals while Pete Smith had two goals and two assists for the Panthers. The Polar Bears were led by a trio of goals from Winkler. Kit Smith had a pair of goals and an assist while Ashforth notched a goal and two helpers.