Box Score MIDDLEBURY, VT -- Twelve minutes into the first quarter Middlebury built a 4-1 lead over the Ephs and although the Ephs would come within one goal of tying the contest several times thereafter Middlebury hung for the 14-13 win.
With the loss the Ephs end the season with a 9-6 record, while Middlebury will take a 12-4 record into the NESCAC semifinals next weeked.
Steven Kiesel netted two goals for Williams in the first quarter and Tanner MacIvor one as the Ephs trailed 4-3 at the first break. Middlebury extended their lead to 6-3 before Eph goals from Kiesel and Ryan Hamilton made the score 6-5 Middlebury at the half.
Middlebury's Sean Carroll opened the scoring in the third quarter to give the Panthers a two-goal cushion, but the Ephs' Jack Lauroesch made Middlebury pay for being a man down with an unassisted tally.
Middlbury then scored three straight goals before the Ephs' Ryan Hamilton and Steven Kiesel each scored to make the score 10-9 Middlebury after three quarters.
After the Ephs' Eric Kelley scored early in the fourth quarter Middlebury mustered another three-goal streak, boosting the panthers to a 14-10 advantage. In a span of 2:20 the Ephs scored three goals in a row with Andy Grabowski's goal sandwiched by two more from Kiesel.
With just 1:56 to play the Ephs were in hot pursuit of a goal to force overtime, but the Williams was limited to just one shot in the final 116 seconds.
Steven Kiesel's bid for his eighth goal of the game and the tying goal was stopped by Panther goalie Will Ernest with 29 seconds left and Middlebury was able to clear the ball successfully and run out the clock.
Kiesel had a game high seven goals, while Middlebury was led in scoring by Sean Carroll who netted four.
The stat of the day was Middlebury's domination of the the faceoff, where the Panthers won 27 of 30. Middlebury turned the ball over 16 times, while Williams had eight miscues.
Middlebury goalie Will Ernest stopped 14 shots on the day and allowed 13 goals, while Eph netminder Dan Whittam made 15 saves and allowed 14 goals.
The Ephs were penalized seven times in the game with Middlebury scoring on two of the seven man-up opportunities. Middlebury was penalized once and the Ephs scored on their lone man-up opportunity.
The Panthers also notched a clear advantage in ground balls collecting 35 to just 23 for Williams.
