WATERVILLE, Maine — October 31, 2026 — The Colby College Women's Soccer team fought heroically through 105 grueling minutes of postseason soccer on Saturday afternoon at Serdjenian Field, ultimately falling 1-0 in double overtime to Middlebury College in the Quarterfinal round of the NESCAC Tournament.
Despite the heartbreaking late result, the Mules delivered an outstanding 20-shot offensive display and put forth a relentless defensive effort in front of a energetic home crowd.
Key Highlights
- High-Powered Offensive Attack: Colby kept the Panthers under continuous pressure throughout the afternoon, firing 20 shot attempts and forcing the Middlebury defense into key blocks and clearings.
- Gardner's Standout Postseason Performance: Goalkeeper Sadie Gardner delivered a heroic performance between the posts, making five crucial saves across 105 minutes of play to keep the Mules in contention deep into extra time.
- Second-Half & Extra-Time Surge: The Mules dominated field position during the main stretch of the contest, unleashing 14 shots in the second half and launching three more in the first overtime session as they aggressively pursued the winner.
- Resilient Postseason Defense: The Colby backline anchored a remarkable 105 consecutive scoreless minutes of tournament play, frustrating Middlebury's attack through four regulation and extra-time periods.
- Memorable 2026 Campaign: Colby closes out an exceptionally strong 2026 season with a 9-4-3 overall record (5-2-3 NESCAC), boasting eight shutouts and remaining unbeaten on home turf throughout the regular season.
Final Score
Middlebury College Panthers 1,
Colby College Mules 0 (2OT)
What's Next
With the conclusion of the NESCAC Tournament Quarterfinals, Colby now awaits the announcement of the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship field to see if their standout season earns an at-large bid into the national tournament.
