MIDDLEBURY, VT. – While the environment was not entirely hostile in the minutes that followed Aiden Londergan's '27 game-winning goal, the Wesleyan men's soccer team tore into a massive NESCAC upset with a 1-0 shutout of No. 7 Middlebury College on Sunday afternoon while the defense held out to the final horn.

Controlling the pace for much of the first 45 minutes of game play, the Panthers held an offensive edge over the Cardinals (4-2-2 overall, 2-0-2 NESCAC) with a 5-1 margin. Senior goalkeeper Mathis Blanc '26 was at the ready from the get-go, holding early advances by the Panthers (3-2-2 overall, 1-2-2 NESCAC)  to a minimum as his time would come following Londergan's tally.

The second half began with both teams held without a goal, but with three minutes underway Londergan struck for the Cardinals with his first goal of the season. Clearing the ball on a goal kick, Blanc made room beyond the midfield for the Cardinals to pin the Panthers down into their own zone. Joshwin Jennings '27, collecting the ball from Zach Feldman '27, rounds out to his right, passing inside to Yousuf Saeed '27. Saeed charged down the right-hand side, making a pass through the box for Cash Ford's '29 diving header. Ford's initial shot on Joey Waterman was saved on the tips of Waterman's gloves, but the Panthers' inability to clear the ball gave way for Londergan to nail the rebound with no obstruction.

With five minutes to go in the match, the Cardinals nearly caught a second goal as Cash and Waterman tripped one another up at the top of the arc, leaving the ball to roll freely for the taking. The altercation earned the Cardinals a free kick opportunity with a new goalie in for the Panthers on the sub, Leon Brody. Saeed took the kick, but the shot was blocked.

The Panthers aggressively pressed as the clock wound down, forcing Blanc to come up with several saves inside the box. The Cardinals again nearly took a two-goal lead, this time from Saeed, down the right-hand line but was stonewalled by Brody at the post.

Blanc earned the shutout victory with eight saves on 15 total shots. Brody and Waterman combined for three saves.

The Cardinals return to action on Saturday, Oct. 4, when they host Amherst at 3 p.m.