Bullpen catcher(s) of the week Men's soccer Colin Nangle '10 & women's soccer Anjuli Demers '10

Author: Peter Baumann

The Campus highlights Middlebury athletes whose contributions were vital to the game but did not necessarily show up in the box score. "Bullpen Catcher of the Week" honors those whose efforts go unnoticed to all except their teammates and coaches.

Both Middlebury soccer teams have enjoyed successful seasons thus far largely on the merits of stifling defense. While these defenses rarely get the attention they deserve, two Panthers have stood out from the crowd.

For the women, centerback Anjuli Demers '10 anchors the back line. A three-year starter who was named first-team all NESCAC as a sophomore, Demers has been instrumental in the Panther's recent winning binge despite having only one point and two shots on the year. The Panthers have surrendered only two goals in their last nine games, and that sort of dominance can only start at the center.

"She is a student of the game," says head coach Peter Kim "and works hard every day to make herself, her team and her teammates better."

The Middlebury men's defense has been equally as adept, allowing only five goals over twelve matches. Colin Nangle '10 in particular has enjoyed another stellar year. Like Demers, he is a three-year starter and last season he was one of only two Panthers to never leave the field until the National Championship game.

"He will rarely appear in the box score," says head coach Dave Saward, "but he is the first name we put on our team sheet...Colin over his career has been the best back in the entire region. He is clearly one of the best I have ever coached in this 'unsung' position."

With Demers and Nangle anchoring the back lines, look for the Middlebury soccer teams to enjoy deep playoff runs starting with their home tilts on Nov. 2.