MIDDLEBURY, VT – The Johns Hopkins men's soccer team dropped a tough 2-1 loss at fourth-ranked Middlebury in the NCAA Second Round Sunday. The Blue Jays end their season at 13-5-4, while the Panthers improve to 14-1-4 and move onto the Sweet 16.
 
The host Panthers struck twice in a four-minute span late in the first half to take control. Middlebury capitalized on a quick counterattack in the 37^th minute. A long through ball found the feet of Jordan Saint-Louis. He took a couple of touches down the left sideline and then centered the ball into the box, where Taylor Payne one-time it inside the back post. Middlebury doubled its lead in the 41^st minute off a corner kick. Saint-Louis sent the kick to the near post and Taylor Payne headed it home.
 
The Blue Jays were all over the Panthers in the second half and got on the board in the 67^th minute to cut the lead in half. Sophomore Jackson Shapiro chipped the ball into the box and graduate student Max Edelstein got a shot off in traffic. The shot was blocked by the defense, but bounced right to graduate student Griffin Meyer, who touched it to the right side of the goal.
 
Hopkins continued to pressure and junior Ian Whamond nearly evened the score in the 84^th minute, but his shot hit the crossbar.
 
JHU finished with a 13-11 advantage in shots, including 10-6, in the second half while Middlebury had a 4-3 edge in corners.
 
Senior Drew Valsamedis finished with a pair of saves while Ryan Grady made four for the Panthers.