NEW LONDON, Conn.-- Middlebury College (2-0, 2-0 NESCAC) earned a 3-2 victory against Connecticut College (1-2, 0-2 NESCAC) 3-2 in a closely contested defensive battle played on Silfen Field in New London Saturday afternoon. Skyler Hopkins (Easton, Md.) put in what would prove to be the game winner with 12:07 remaining in regulation. Jim Cabrera (Old Greenwich, Conn.) and Tom Petty (Newburyport, Mass.) contributed goals for the Panthers, who are ranked #11 in the latest USILA poll.

Craig Audin (Sudbury, Mass.) and Mark Mangano (Basking Ridge, N.J.) provided goals for the Camels, who had battled back from a two goal deficit to tie the game in the third quarter. Sophomore Mark Moran (Greenwich, Conn.) had five of his 12 saves in the fourth quarter, keeping the game close in his most impressive start of the season.

After a scoreless first period of play, the Panthers got on the board just before the intermission, taking advantage of an extra man opportunity. Junior Mike Stone (Boston, Mass.) dished to Cabrera who buried a one-timer and the visitors had a 1-0 lead at the half.

Petty doubled the lead for the Panthers 2:08 into the third quarter, finishing on a feed from Matt Ferrer (Darien, Conn.). But the Camels responded with the next two goals to even the game at two. In an extra man situation, Eric Doran (Pennington, N.J.) dished to Craig Audin on the wing from behind the Middlebury cage and Audin's shot karemed off the post and into the goal for a score. With 2:01 remaining in the quarter, Jesse Stevenson (Marshfield, Mass.) assisted Mark Mangano for the equalizer and the team's headed into the fourth quarter locked in a 2-2 tie.

But early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers regained their lead with the goal from Phillips. The Camels had five shots in the quarter but the visitors were able to hold on for the 3-2 victory.

Junior Peter Britt (Summit, N.J.) had two of his four saves in the fourth quarter for Middlebury. Brian Ford (Hinesburg, Vt.) and Will Schumann (East Hampton, N.Y.) each finished with four ground balls for the Camels. Pete Smith (Wilton, Conn.) had five ground balls for the visitors.

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Score by Period       1  2  3  4  Tot
-------------------------------------
Middlebury College..  0  1  1  1 -  3
Connecticut College.  0  0  2  0 -  2

Middlebury College SCORING:
GOALS: Jim Cabrera 1; Tom Petty 1; Skyler Hopkins 1.
ASSISTS: Matt Ferrer 1; Mike Stone 1; Bart Witmer 1.

Connecticut College SCORING:
GOALS: Mark Mangano 1; Craig Audin 1.
ASSISTS: Eric Doran 1; Jesse Stevenson 1.

Middlebury College GROUND BALLS: Pete Smith 5; James Guay 4; Mike Stone 4; Tom Petty 3; Glenn Bickley 2; Jim Cabrera 2; Dave Campbell 2; Chris Teves 2; Peter Britt 1; Zack Harwood 1; Chris Mejia 1; Eric Olmsted 1.

Connecticut College GROUND BALLS: Brian Ford 4; Will Schumann 4; Mark Moran 3; Kevin Nally 3; Ben Stahl 3; Wes Stephanian 3; Eric Doran 2; Mark Mangano 2; Brendan Moses 2; Jesse Stevenson 2; Craig Audin 1; Mike Bruno 1; Steve Dachille 1; Ben Eischen 1; Peter Musser 1.

Middlebury College TURNOVERS CAUSED: None.
Connecticut College TURNOVERS CAUSED: None.

SHOTS - Middlebury College 39; Connecticut College 17.
SHOTS ON GOAL - Middlebury College 0; Connecticut College 0.

PENALTIES - Middlebury College 3/4:30; Connecticut College 5/3:30.
MAN-UP OPPORTUNITIES - Middlebury College 1-4; Connecticut College 1-3.

TURNOVERS - Middlebury College 0; Connecticut College 0.

FACEOFFS - Middlebury College 6-9; Connecticut College 3-9.

CLEARS - Middlebury College 17-20; Connecticut College 18-23.

GOALIES
MIDMLAX: Peter Britt 1-0 (60:00 minutes, 6 shots-4 saves, 2 GA).
CONNM: Mark Moran 1-2 (60:00, 15-12, 3).

2008-03-15