Men's Soccer Extends Streak
October 13, 2008
The Panther men's soccer team improved to 7-0-1 on the season as they picked up a 2-0 shutout victory over Tufts in NESCAC play. The Panthers are now riding a 17-game unbeaten streak dating back to last season, including 14 shutouts in that span, while boasting a 14-0-1 mark on its new Field Turf surface. The Jumbos lose for the third time in their last four games, moving to 5-4-1 on the year.
The Panthers struck early as junior Stephen Hart's (Park City, Utah) cross was headed in by first-year player Tyler Macnee (Williston, Vt.) for his team-leading seventh goal of the season. The goal developed on a corner kick as a short pass was fed to junior Andrew Banadda (Gaithersburg, Md.) before Hart's service pass.
Sophomore Harrison Watkins (San Francisco, Calif.) had a great chance just minutes later, but his header was saved by Tufts' keeper David McKeon. Rookie Robbie Tyler Redmond (Morristown, N.J.) had a shot saved by a diving McKeon, while Macnee also just missed a few chances in the first half.
Middlebury made it a 2-0 game just 7:06 into the second half, as a nice through feed by sophomore Carson Cornbrooks (Williston, Vt.) was one-timed with a rocket off the foot of Banadda for his first goal of the season.
The Panthers continued to control play for the remainder of the contest, holding a 24-3 shots advantage on the afternoon. Senior Brian Bush (Madison, Wis.) made a save in goal to earn his sixth shutout of the season, while McKeon ended the day with seven stops for Tufts.
Earlier in the week, the Panthers picked up a 3-0 shutout win over Trinity at home. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Bantams (7-2).
Following a scoreless first half, Middlebury got on the board at the 55:37 mark. Hart scored his first of the season, converting a short crossing pass from the team's assist leader, senior Baer Fisher (Kenilworth, Ill.) (4th).
The game remained at 1-0 until just under 21 minutes later, when junior Micah Wood (Tacoma, Wash.) quickly turned and fired from 16 yards out on the left wing, tucking a shot inside the far post.
Macnee scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season at 82:03, sealing the win as he converted a great corner kick feed from junior Nolan Lincoln (E. Thetford, Vt.).
Bush was forced to make no saves to earn his fifth shutout of the season, while Zac Trudeau made eight stops for the Bantams.
. Men's soccer record: 7-0-1
. Up next: 10/14 @ Plymouth - 4:30, 10/18 vs. Bates - 1:00
