Men's Soccer Battles Middlebury to 0-0 Tie - Rams Eliminated on Penalty Kicks
MIDDLEBURY, Vermont - Middlebury and Framingham State battled to a scoreless tie through 110 minutes of action in an NCAA Tournament first-round game in Vermont. The Panthers advances to the regional final with a 4-1 win in penalty kicks, as they return to action on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. against the winner of the Norwich/Clark match-up.
Middlebury (13-2-3) controlled the contest throughout, holding a 25-4 advantage in shots on the afternoon. Framingham keeper Greg Halle was impressive in net, making 10 saves to earn his ninth shutout of the season which set a new FSC single season record. Brian Bush was not forced to make any saves on the afternoon, but did clear some balls away from the crease area, while also stopping a penalty shot. He records his 10th shutout of the season and 24th of his career, tying the school's all-time shutout mark (Eric Davis '92-'95).
Despite their 25 shots on the afternoon, the Panthers rarely had great chances to score in regulation. Halle made a diving stop in Baer Fisher early on, before he denied Tyler Macnee after a nice feed from Fisher in the eighth minute. Carson Cornbrooks had the best chance to score for Middlebury in the first half, but his open look sailed over the crossbar.
The Rams (16-3-2) had a solid opportunity on their first shot of the game 10 minutes into the second half, but Johnny Goncalves' shot was high. Middlebury's best chance to score came in the 66th minute with a flurry in front of the Framingham net. Robbie Redmond saw his shot saved, before Macnee's shot was denied, as the ball popped up into the air. Allen Bourdon got a solid header shot on goal, but Halle was able to get back into position and prevent the shot from going into the back of the net.
Middlebury turned up the pressure in the first overtime, but Halle made three saves to keep the game a scoreless tie. The best chance came when Fisher fed Micah Wood but his blast was saved by Halle.
Bush denied a Framingham corner kick in the second overtime, before Rob O'Doherty saw a hard shot go wide of the post. The Panthers had one last chance in the 107th minute, but Halle slapped away a corner kick feed.
Middlebury's Harrison Watkins and Framingham's Brunno Goncalves converted their penalty kicks, before Nolan Lincoln gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead. Jason Silva's shot sailed high for the Rams, before Allen Bourdon converted with a shot off the hands of Halle to make it a 3-1 Middlebury lead. Bush denied Scott Faria with a diving save before Otis Pitney ended it with a shot to the top left corner.
Story courtesy of Middlebury Sports Information Office.