BOX SCORE
MEDFORD, Mass. - The Middlebury College men's lacrosse team
pulled away from Bowdoin in the second half of a 13-9 win in the
NESCAC Semifinals on Saturday at Tufts University. The Panthers,
ranked 16th nationally, will play for the conference crown on
Sunday. The Polar Bears likely finish their season with a record of
9-7.
Senior co-captain Pete Smith led the Panthers with two goals and
three assists, while junior Ryan Deane was tremendous in goal with
16 saves, including nine in the fourth quarter. The Panthers (11-4)
will play Tufts in the conference championship game on Sunday at
Bello beginning at noon. The #2 seed Jumbos were 11-10 winners over
eight-seed Wesleyan University in Saturday's other semi-final.
Middlebury is a seven-time NESCAC champion.
On Saturday, Bowdoin come charging out of the gate with a 3-0 lead
following a goal by sophomore Nathan Fritts at 10:12 of the opening
period. Middlebury retaliated with the next three goals, tying the
score at 3-3 on a tally by senior Chris Teves with 1:39 left in the
first. Teves would score again with just 16 seconds remaining in
the first half, capping a back-and-forth second quarter and giving
the Panthers a 6-5 advantage that they would not relinquish.
The Polar Bears closed within 7-6 on a strike by junior Owen Smith
at 10:14 of the third quarter. However, Middlebury scored three of
the next four to open up some breathing room with a 10-7 advantage
heading into the fourth quarter. Tallies by Tim Cahill and Matt
Rayner (Andover, MA) in the middle of the third came just 13
seconds apart during that stretch.
Smith scored the first goal of the fourth to keep Bowdoin alive at
10-8, but Middlebury surged to a 13-8 margin with the next three
goals. Junior David Hild scored two and the Panthers were in
control as the clock wound down under six minutes. Bowdoin managed
to add an Adam Tracy goal at 5:20, but the closing minutes of the
game were played in a downpour and Middlebury maintained possession
to drain the clock.
Hild added three goals to the Middlebury attack, while Cahill and
Teves both finished with two goals and an assist. Rayner's four
ground balls topped the Panthers, who add a 28-25 edge in that
category as a team. Shots were even at 39-39.
Bowdoin dominated face-offs 16-8, including seven wins in nine
attempts by sophomore Brendan Hughes. Tracy, Smith, and sophomore
Keegan Mehlhorn had two goals each to pace the Polar Bears.
Freshman Phillip Cuddeback scooped up four ground balls and
sophomore Christopher Williamson made 10 saves for the Bears.
