MIDDLEBURY, VT — Three third-period goals lifted the Trinity College Bantams to a 4-2 victory over the Middlebury College Panthers in a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) matchup on Friday evening. With the win, Trinity improves to 6-3-1 on the season and 2-1-1 in the NESCAC, while Middlebury drops to 5-6-0 overall and 2-5-0 in conference play.
Both teams found the back of the net in the opening period. Middlebury's Revy Mack gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead just 4:25 into the game with an even-strength goal. Trinity quickly responded, earning a power play shortly after the goal. Bantams forward Alexander Mozian fired a shot on goal that was initially denied by Panthers' goaltender Andrew Heinze. Mozian followed up with a second attempt that slipped past Heinze to tie the game at 1-1.
Middlebury was awarded a power play at 10:30 of the first period, but Trinity's junior goaltender Devon Bobak stood strong, stopping the Panthers' lone shot on goal during the man advantage. The game remained tied 1-1 as the teams headed into the second period.
The Bantams started the second period with a power play that carried over from the first. However, despite the man-up opportunity, Trinity was unable to capitalize. The period was marked by physicality, with a total of five penalties assessed—two against Trinity (4 minutes) and three against Middlebury (6 minutes). Trinity outshot the Panthers 12-8 in the period, but the score remained 1-1 heading into the third.
Middlebury regained the lead 7:42 into the third period. Palombo Dante scored a power-play goal to put the Panthers ahead 2-1. However, Trinity responded quickly. Chase McInnis, who had been denied on an earlier attempt, scored to tie the game 2-2 at 12:33.
With momentum swinging in Trinity's favor, James Barbour gave the Bantams a 3-2 lead with an even-strength goal at 16:30. Just two minutes later, Trinity was awarded a power play. Senior Connor Sedlak sealed the victory with a goal at 18:18, giving the Bantams a 4-2 lead and securing the win.
Trinity dominated the shot count 61-37, including a 32-19 advantage in shots on goal. The Bantams also held a 2-1 edge in power-play goals. Both teams finished with 30 faceoff wins. Bobak earned the victory with 17 saves, allowing two goals for a .895 save percentage.
TRINITY COLLEGE