Sports Briefs

Author: Jeff Klein

DONNIE MCKILLOP '11 GETS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

On a day where many Panther football players displayed outstanding performances, Donny McKillop '11 took it to the next level.

The quarterback was named NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week for the opening week of the season, in which Middlebury's offense dominated Bowdoin, 42-28.

McKillop established himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the conference, as he completed 27-31 passes (.874) for 344 yards, both career highs, against the helpless Polar Bears on Sept. 20. The 2007 NESCAC Rookie of the Year also posted a 178.05 efficiency rating.

Perhaps no play better epitomized McKillop's dominance and resolve than a gutsy scramble on fourth and 12 in Bowdoin territory with the Panthers trailing 25-20.

McKillop dropped back, and with his receivers covered, took off downfield. With the orange first down marker in sight, he dove into the air with his arm outstretched and got the first down.

Middlebury would proceed to score a touchdown on that drive and retake the lead, which it would never relinquish.

McKillop will try to duplicate his all-star performance this Saturday, Sept. 27 when the Panthers hit the road and take on Colby.

LAURYN TORCH '11 EARNS NESCAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Given that the Middlebury women's soccer team has not allowed a single goal against over its last three games, it is only fitting that superb goalkeeping play gained some recognition.

Middlebury goalkeeper Lauryn Torch '11 was named NESCAC Player of the Week for her flawless work over the last few games as the team posted a 2-0-1 record.

Torch did not allow a goal for all 290 minutes of action during the week. She opened the week with four saves in a 2-0 win over Keene State and followed that performance with two stops against Wesleyan, which also resulted in a 2-0 victory.

But Torch saved her best work for last, as she tallied a total of eight saves against nationally-ranked Skidmore, when the Panthers battled the Thoroughbreds to a scoreless tie.

Torch will try to maintain her dominance in goal as the Panthers travel to Waterville to take on Colby on Saturday, Sept. 27th.

MEN'S RUGBY DEFEATS AMHERST, OFF TO 2-0 START

The men's rugby team followed up a 63-0 demolition of Williams with another strong outing, as it defeated Amherst 50-7 on the road this past Saturday, Sept. 20.

The first twenty minutes of the match were extremely hard-fought. After Amherst came up with a huge defensive score, Middlebury responded and put forth an onslaught of points to secure the win.

While the side was drastically changed from the previous week, Middlebury was still able to come away on top.

In the Panthers' first victory of the season over Williams, the ruggers took no time getting out on the attack, scoring in the first minute and opening up a 24-0 lead by halftime. They would not look back.

Middlebury will compete in its first home affair this Saturday, Sept. 27 against UVM at 10a.m. The match falls on the same date as the birthday of recently deceased Pavlo Levkiv '11. A memorial service will take place for him at 3:30p.m. next to Bi-Hall.