MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Senior Andrew Orozco tallied the Purple & White's sole goal of the game as the No. 1 Amherst College men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against No. 20 Middlebury Saturday afternoon in Middlebury, Vt.

With the tie, Amherst is now 2-0-1 on the year and 1-0-1 in NESCAC play, while the Panthers move to 2-0-1 overall and 1-0-1 in league action. Amherst returns to action tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 18 when they travel to Pine Manor for a 1 p.m. non-conference matchup, while Middlebury hosts Keene State on Sept. 21 at 4:30 p.m.

After 20 minutes of scoreless play, the Panthers posted the best scoring chance between either side at the 20:08 mark as an Amherst foul in the penalty box resulted in a Middlebury penalty kick opportunity. Tabbed to take the kick, Adam Glaser ripped a shot towards the lower right corner, however junior goalkeeper Lee Owen made an impressive play to turn away the attempt and keep the score knotted at 0-0.

Amherst took a 1-0  lead 12 minutes later as Orozco headed a pass from Kiernan Bellew '18  just inside the right post and into the netting.

Undeterred, Middlebury responded less than four minutes later, with Greg Conrad collecting a pinpoint pass from Tom Dils and one-touching the ball past the charging Owen and sending a shot into an open net at the 35:54 mark.

The Purple & White and the Panthers traded quality opportunities in the second half but neither team was able to capitalize. Senior Christopher Martin gave Amherst the chance to regain the lead in the 55th minute after earning a partial breakaway, but the Panther goalkeeper came out of his net and cut down the angle and was able to get his glove on the low shot.

Ten minutes later Dils nearly gave the Panthers the edge, heading a shot off the left post before collecting his own rebound and heading a second shot just wide.

Justin Aoyama '17 had one of Amherst's last opportunities during regulation, earning a partial breakaway, however Glaser was able to get the inside track and slide tackle the ball out of bounds with 12:42 on the clock.  

With neither side able to convert during two scoreless 10-minute overtimes, the matchup concluded in a 1-1 draw.

"Middlebury has a 25-game unbeaten streak at home for a reason," commented head coach Justin Serpone on the contest. "I thought they were a top-5 team last year. There is a good chance we'll see them again down the road."

GAME NOTES

• Owen (2-0-1) made five saves for Amherst in the tie, while Panther netminder Greg Sydor (2-0-1) recorded two saves in the matchup.
• Weller Hlinomaz '18 led the Purple & White with four shots, while Orozco and Martin each tallied three apiece.
• Amherst edged Middlebury in shots and corner kicks, 16-11 and 9-4, respectively.