Box
Score
MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - The Norwich University men's
soccer team saw its season come to an end on Sunday afternoon,
dropping a heart-breaking 1-0 decision to Middlebury in the NCAA
regionals. The Cadets close their impressive 2008 campaign with an
18-3-1 overall record.
Middlebury came out early with pressure, as the Panthers earned
four corner kicks in the first eight minutes of the game. Baer
Fisher had a good look in the 13th minute from the left side, but
his shot was saved by NU goalkeeper Charles Maxwell.
The Panthers continued to come at Norwich, increasing their
total to 10 corner kicks through 25 minutes of play. Middlebury had
its best chance of the half in the 35th minute, but a shot was just
tipped over the crossbar by Maxwell. The half ended with the
Panthers holding an 11-1 shots advantage, and a 13-0 edge corner
kicks.
Norwich senior Rob Harlow helped the Cadets' offense turn up the
heat in the 58th minute, with a nice feed to fellow senior Ryan
Boyton, who just missed the goal wide. Harlow saw his low hard shot
from the left side denied by Middlebury goalkeeper Brian Bush in
the 60th minute, before his lofting shot went over Bush and the
crossbar in the 71st minute of play.
The Panthers scored the game's lone goal at 82:53 as Norwich was
attempting to clear the ball out of the box. Robbie Redmond played
the ball of his chest and then quickly dodged a defender before
ripping a low hard shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
Neither team would pose a real threat in the final minutes of
play as the Panthers held on for the win. Bush made a pair of saves
for his 11th shutout of the season. Maxwell made five saves in goal
for the Cadets.
