MIDDLETOWN, CT. – In the second of two physical matchups of an action packed NESCAC weekend, the Wesleyan men's soccer team held No. 2 ranked Middlebury College to just one goal in a 1-0 loss on Sunday afternoon from Smith Field.

An unrelenting Panthers (6-0-1 overall, 3-0-1 NESCAC) offense made sure to keep Zach Feldman '27 and the Cardinals (4-1-2 overall, 2-1-1 NESCAC) defensive unit on their toes through 90 minutes, forcing Mathis Blanc '26 to make seven saves in goal on the afternoon.

While the Cardinals held through the second half, the Panthers finally broke open the scoring in the 82^nd minute. Keagan Harder's quick footwork put the ball behind Blanc from out left, Gavin Rudolph making the busy pass.

Freshman Calder Truesdale came calling for the Panthers in the second half. The first of two near tallies came off the rush started by Truesdale as he was tripped up at the box. Sam Wheeler '27 collected the ball, swiftly finding Mateo Neighbors '25 inside the box before Neighbors booted the cross pass back to Truesdale, his shot going high. Truesdale's second opportunity was an attempt to tie the game with less than a minute in regulation, but Joey Waterman was down with the save.

Truesdale and Neighbors led the team in total shots.

Waterman finished match with just one save in net for the Panthers.

The Cardinals return to action on Saturday, Sept. 28, when they host Tufts University at 3 p.m. at Jackson Field.