WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Middlebury Women's Soccer Beats Colby, Men Tie

Middlebury Women's Soccer Beats Colby, Men Tie

10/3/09

MIDDLEBURY, VT - Middlebury outshot Colby 23-5 on the afternoon as the Panthers remained undefeated (6-0) with a 3-0 NESCAC win over Colby (2-4-1) on Dragone Field. Middlebury will have little time to rest as they return to action on Sunday when they host Wesleyan at 2:00 p.m.

Annie Rowell gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead at the 16:00 mark, heading in an impressive crossing pass from Kirsten Lundquist on the far post.

Rowell struck again for her team-leading sixth goal of the season just 5:51 later, giving Middlebury a 2-0 lead. After carrying the ball into the zone from midfield, she blasted a well-placed shot into the top corner of the net.

The Panthers had another chance in the 29^th minute, but Rachel Madding's blast was denied by a beautiful save by Loni Pisani, as she just deflected the ball over the cross bar.

Leading 2-0 in the second half, the Panthers made it a 3-0 game as Margaret Owen netted her second tally of the season. Hannah Newman carried the ball down the left wing before sending a crossing pass to Owen, for the quick one-touch.

Colby had a chance to break-up the shutout in the final minutes, but a direct kick from Lexi Bohonnon sailed just over the cross bar.

Lauryn Torch finished the game with three saves to earn her third shutout of the season, while Pisano made 14 stops on the afternoon for the Mules.

Middlebury and Colby played 110 minutes of soccer, but that wasn't enough to determine a winner, as the team settled for a 1-1 tie at Middlebury. The Panthers move to 4-4-2 overall (1-1-2 NESCAC), while the Mules improve to 1-5-2 (0-4-1 NESCAC).

Middlebury had a pair of quality chances to score in the first half, but could not find the back of the net. Carson Cornbrooks had an open look in the 31^st minute, but his blast from 22 yards out sailed just over the crossbar. Just five minutes later, Jake Edwards saw his shot from the left side turned away by a nice save from Colby's Dan Marden.

The chances continued to come for Middlebury in the second half, as they outshot Colby 13-6 on the afternoon. Colby broke onto the board first at 66:05, as Donny Macmaster fed Duy Lyford for a quick one-touch that hit the cross bar and went into the net. Edwards saw a great crossing pass go untouched in the 62^nd minute, while the same happened to Adam Batista in the 81^st.  Between those two scoring opportunities, the Panthers took advantage of a corner kick at the 79:43 mark. Edwards served a great ball to Rob Cole, as the rookie converted with a header for his first collegiate goal to tie the game at 1-1.

Cornbrooks had a shot to win it for the Panthers with six minutes left, but his header off an Otis Pitney cross was saved by Marden. Middlebury had some opportunities in each overtime period, but could not take advantage as they settled for a 1-1 tie. Marden ended the day with seven saves, while Middlebury's Tim Cahill made a pair.

---Courtesy Middlebury Athletics