Box Score 

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's soccer team saw its modest three-game unbeaten streak come to an end Wednesday afternoon as the Cadets dropped a 2-1 decision to Middlebury College under threatening skies at Howard Field.

The Panthers (3-1-1) scored both of their goals within the first 20 minutes of the game and they held off the Cadets in the second half to secure the victory.

Middlebury held the better of play throughout the early going, and the Panthers' pressure paid off in the 11th minute when Zach Smith beat Norwich senior GK Charles Maxwell low and to the right side of the net for his first goal of the season. Tyler MacNee, who slid a perfect pass over to Smith, picked up an assist on the play.

Middlebury extended its lead to 2-0 at the 19:01 mark when Ethan Galiette scored off a scramble in front of the net. Colin Nangle, who served the ball from the right side of the field into the box, was credited with an assist on the goal, which was Galiette's first of the year.

Norwich (3-3-1) got on the scoreboard late in the first half when senior D Chris Rivet scored his second goal of the season - and second of his career - on a direct kick following a restart from 45-yards out. Rivet's high blast, which came in the 40th minute, sailed over Middlebury goalkeeper Tim Cahill's head and clanged off the left post before bouncing into the goal to trim the Cadets' deficit to 2-1.

The game became much more physical after halftime, with Norwich being issued four yellow cards following the intermission.

Norwich turned up the pressure in the second half, but the Cadets were unable to tally the game-tying goal. Middlebury enjoyed several quality scoring chances in the second half as well, but Maxwell made some nice saves to keep it a one-goal game.

Cahill finished with four saves for the Panthers, while Maxwell made six stops for the Cadets.

Middlebury outshot Norwich 18-8, and the Panthers held a 7-5 edge in corner kicks.

Norwich returns to conference play on Saturday, Sept. 26, when the Cadets tangle with Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Emmanuel College at Howard Field. Kickoff for the league matchup is set for 1 p.m.