Courtesy of Middlebury Sports Information

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Trailing 1-0 with 20 seconds remaining, Gabriel Wirz '15 found the back of the net to force overtime as the ninth-ranked Amherst College men's soccer team played NESCAC rival Middlebury to a 1-1 double-overtime draw Sunday.

With the tie, the Jeffs are now 1-0-1 overall and 0-0-1 in league play, while the Panthers drop their season-opener (0-0-1, 0-0-1 NESCAC).
 
Jae Heo '15E had a good look for Amherst in the 27th minute, but his shot from inside the box was saved by Greg Sydor. Middlebury thought it had taken the lead late in the first half, but a goal was waved off due to a hand-ball infraction. After taking a feed from Enzo Wiener, Greg Conrad drove to the box and worked around his defender before his blast went in off the hand of a teammate.
 
Amherst keeper Thomas Bull '16 (6 saves) made a big stop early in the second half, denying a great chance in the 47th minute. Greg Singer '16 narrowly missed with a header after a cross from Heo in the 72nd minute as the game remained scoreless.
 
Middlebury could not take advantage of a pair of corner kicks a minute later, but cashed in at the 80:25 mark. A lengthy throw from the right sideline by Tim Ogle bounced in front of the goal, before deflecting off an Amherst defender who was trying to clear the ball.
 
With time ticking down, a throw-in from the left side found its way into the box before being flicked off the head of Milton Rico '15 as Wirz blasted a one-time shot out of the air and into the right side of the net to knot the game at 1-1.
 
Middlebury had the best look in the extra sessions, but Bull made a quick save to deny a blast from Noah Goss-Woliner that deflected off a defender.
 
Amherst held a 13-11 shots advantage in the game, with Middlebury owning a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
 
The Jeffs return to the pitch Saturday, Sept. 13 to face Bowdoin at 12 p.m.