By Michael Alves
Framingham State’s Men’s Soccer team was shutout 2-0 to the #13 nationally ranked Middlebury College Panthers Sept. 21.
The Middlebury Panthers were overall just too much for Framingham State.
Middlebury College’s Jordan Saint-Louis opened up the scoring in the game fairly quickly in the 11th minute, when he was hit with a give-in-front pass from Brandon Reid, making it 1-0 Panthers.
The scoring was quiet for the remainder of the first half, until in the second half. Nate Pilson tallied another goal for the Panthers with an assist from Saint-Louis in the 65th minute of the game.
Middlebury College’s goalkeeper Ryan Grady only had to make two saves in the victory.
The Rams did put up a fight though, especially freshman goalkeeper Joseph Sturzo, who kept FSU in the game, racking up an impressive nine saves.
Sturzo made a number of appreciable saves, including a superb sliding effort on a pass and shot in front. The freshman also made another two high-grabbing saves – one of which was a bullet of a shot.
But that wasn’t nearly enough to end the undefeated streak of Middlebury College.
The Panthers were in the driver’s seat nearly the whole 90 minutes of the game, besides the few scoring chances the Rams had.
The Middlebury College Panthers are now 5-0, and the Rams were just yet another example of why.
They applied constant pressure on the ball every moment, while they also moved it so patiently and efficiently for the entirety of the game.
Again, it was clear on Tuesday night why Middlebury College is nationally ranked in Division 3 at the moment.
The Rams have been shutout in five of their games this season through the first eight thus far.
The Men’s Soccer team now advances to 1-7 on the season and they will next play MASCAC opponent Bridgewater State Sept. 25 at 11:00 a.m.