The Colby Echo

Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Sports

Scott Brown '10 crushes his opponent in a recent NESCAC home game.

Just 4:34 into the contest on Saturday, Sept. 29 Nate Seiberling '11 headed in a cross from Logan King '09 to demolish Middlebury College's shut-out streak of the 2007 season. Despite scoring an early goal against the Panthers, the men's soccer team fell short of taking down the undefeated team.

Seiberling's tally marked the first goal that Middlebury has allowed in over 454 minutes this season. Unfortunately the Panthers managed to retain composure and struck back nearly four minutes later with quick passing to setup Middlebury's Casey Ftorek for a one-touch goal against goalkeeper Dan Marden '10. After quickly tying up the match, the Panthers and Mules fought an evenly matched battle for the scoreless remainder of the first half. Although they entered into half time with a stalemate of 1-1, the Panthers went on to net two more unanswered goals in the second half, devastating the Mules 3-1.

Marden saved an impressive 12 shots, yet Middlebury snuck two by in the 53rd and 72nd minute of the match. Middlebury's David LaRocca blasted a hard hit shot from well outside the 18-yard box to score the Panthers' second goal. The final goal of the match replicated Seiberling's first goal, as Middlebury's Baer Fisher scored a header off of a side cross.

Last Saturday's fall to Middlebury signified only the Mules' second New England Small College Athletic Conference loss and pulls their record down to 3-2-1. The first half of the 2007 season has been a vast improvement on previous years for the men's soccer program. If they continue to pull out wins like Sept. 22's 4-0 victory over Trinity College, then a spot in the NESCAC tournament is within reach for the Mules.

This double-header weekend Colby will travel to Wesleyan University in attempts to squash the Cardinals on their home field. Although Wesleyan has been at the top of the conference the last few years, it has fallen to a 3-4 overall and 1-3 NESCAC record thus far this season. The Cardinals should be a beatable team despite their current three game winning streak.

After Saturday's contest with Wesleyan, the Mules will need to regroup to compete against the 5-2 Ephs at Williams College on Sunday Oct. 7. Williams beat Wesleyan earlier this season in a 2-1 victory.

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