Men's soccer dominates, but settles for a draw

Author: Kevin Carpenter

Even for the number-one ranked team in the country, scoring doesn't always come easy. Last Saturday the Middlebury men's soccer team battled the Wesleyan Cardinals on the Field Turf to a 1-1 tie. It was clear from the start that the Cardinals were playing for the tie while the Panthers were pushing for another NESCAC win.

Both teams started the game flat. Middlebury maintained possession for the first five minutes, though only in its own defensive zone. A slip-up on defense lead to a turnover, but keeper Brian Bush '09 was quick off his line and a made a sliding save at the 18. The defense maintained possession well, yet there was very little offensive production early.

"We were a bit careless in back sometimes," said Bush. "But we played much better in the second half."

The defense was solid for the rest of the match. Wesleyan's only goal was not the result of poor defending but rather a lucky header off of the crossbar.

In the 13th minute, Nick Whipple had a free kick from 40 yards out, which found the head of forward Matt Nevin. The header bounced on the inside of the crossbar and barely crossed the line on the way down.

The crowd was a bit befuddled, but the Panthers were as resilient and steadfast as ever.

"Our style of play doesn't change after a goal," said tri-captain Allen Bourdon '08.5. "We stay positive and continue to play our game, only with a bit more focus and concentration."

The Wesleyan goal was the spark that the Panthers' offense needed. Passes began coming through the midfield and the forwards looked re-energized.

Great plays came from all over the field. Tri-captain Baer Fisher '09 constantly duped Wesleyan midfielders with an arsenal of flicks and overlapping runs. Midfielders Bourdon and Andrew Banadda '10 controlled the middle of the field. As this momentum built up, a Panther goal was inevitable.

In the 29th minute, Fisher sent a free kick into the box and Harrison Watkins '11 headed the ball off of the Cardinal keeper. The ball was deflected to the feet of Tyler Macnee '12, who ripped a shot past the keeper for Middlebury's equalizing goal.

The second half saw even more attacking from Middlebury, which resulted in Wesleyan's defensive style of play. Wesleyan defenders packed the box and midfielders were staying back to help combat the Panther onslaught.

"When they pack the box, we just try to pass to the forwards and play wide and around the defense," said Fisher.

The Panthers outshot the Cardinals 19-8 on the day. Micah Wood '10, Macnee, Fisher and others all had great chances up until the finishing touch, which never seemed to materialize.

"I think we showed great character and work rate today, but we need to play to forwards and we were just missing that last pass and finish," said Fisher.

Although a tie is not the most desirable result, a loss would have been far more devastating. One could smell the wretched stench of a Wesleyan victory with 10 minutes to go in regulation when Cardinal forward Max Sander sent a header just below the crossbar. An epic leap-and-punch combo from Bush saved the game.

The match went to overtime during which the Panthers had some looks at goal, including a great shot from Macnee and save from Wesleyan that mirrored Bush's punch save.

"Our strategy in overtime is never defensive. We push our offense, apply pressure and look for the win," commented Bush.

In the second overtime period Middlebury was unable to win, but Bush did make a monstrous diving save in the final minute to preserve the tie.

Despite the draw, Baer Fisher thought the team played well. "It's promising that we have outplayed every team so far. Today we were just missing that last pass."

Middlebury has a full week off before the team takes on Colby College on Saturday, Sept. 27th.