sportsbriefs

Author: Jeb Burchenal

Emily Johnson '09 named Player of the Week

Emily Johnson '09 of the women's basketball team was named NESCAC player of the week after outstanding performances against Eastern Connecticut State and Skidmore. In the first game, Middlebury was unable to overcome an early 19-3 lead for the undefeated Warriors of Eastern Connecticut State, but the Panthers did cut the deficit to 73-69. Johnson led all scorers with 26 points and led the Panthers with nine rebounds and two assists. Johnson's leadership and great play helped the Panthers play the undefeated Warriors to their closest contest of the season.

In the second game, Middlebury triumphed over Skidmore 81-78 in overtime. Johnson led all scorers in this game as well, posting 23 points, and led the Panthers in steals (four) and assists (five). For the first week of the new year, Johnson was 15-for-34 (.441) from the floor and 10-for-24 (.417) from behind the arc leading to 23.5 points, seven boards and three assists per game. Johnson looks to continue her stellar play and the team looks to continue their winning ways as they head to Southern Vermont and Rensselaer this week.


Men's basketball runs by Skidmore on the road

The men's basketball team traveled to Saratoga Springs, N.Y. this past weekend for a game at Skidmore. The Panthers came into the Jan. 5 meeting an impressive 8-2 and continued their impressive play by walloping the Thoroughbreds 71-52. The domination started on the glass, where Middlebury was able to outrebound Skidmore 50-36. The Panthers came out strong, building a 16-4 lead in the early minutes that was cut down to a 31-25 halftime lead. As the lead slimmed to two, the Panthers turned it on as they went on a 17-2 tear and cruised to the win. Aaron Smith '09 led all scorers with 18 points and nine rebounds, Andrew Harris '08 scored 13 with six boards, and Ben Rudin '09 scored a dozen and came down with seven rebounds.


Four men named to All-American soccer team

After a tremendous fall that resulted in a national championship, four members of the Middlebury men's soccer team were recognized for their individual contributions when NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) announced its All-Region and All-American teams. Co-captain Alex Elias '08, Casey Ftorek '08 and Brian Bush '09 earned first-team All-American honors, while co-captain Andrew Germansky '08 was a second-team honoree.

Ftorek had a dynamic season on offense for the Panthers, setting a new school single-season record with 17 goals, seven more than anyone else in the NESCAC. Ftorek tallied the game-winning goal nine times this season, accounting for half of the game-winning goals for the team's 18 wins on the season.

Elias played solid ball, roaming the midfield for the Panthers this fall. He was a first-team All-NESCAC selection, contributing a goal and four assists on the season.

Germansky anchored a Middlebury defense that did not allow a single goal in five NCAA Tournament games. The senior played a crucial role in the team's 17 shutouts. The Panther defense ranked second nationally in shutout percentage (0.77) and third in goals-against-average (0.35).

Bush played phenomenal soccer this fall en route to a 15-1-2 record with 87 saves, ending the year with a 623-minute scoreless streak. Bush posted a .32 goals-against-average that ranked third in the nation. He broke the school's single-season shutout record with 13 shutouts in 19 starts. He was amazing during shootouts in the postseason, helping the Panthers to advance on three different occasions.