AMHERST, Mass. — The Middlebury College men’s lacrosse team won its opening round NCAA Division III tournament game on Wednesday, but was eliminated on Saturday by NESCAC rival Amherst. The 11th-ranked Panthers finished at 13-6 after reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time in four years. 
On Wednesday, the Panthers opened at home with a 17-8 first-round win over Montclair State (13-6). The Panthers led, 9-7, in the third quarter and then scored six straight goals to ice the win.
Jon Broome and Jack Rautiola each netted three goals and had an assist to pace Middlebury. Joel Blockowicz added two assists and a goal, Henry Riehl and Joey Zelkowitz each contributed a goal and an assist, and Taylor Pirie scored twice.
John Jackson won 17 of 29 face-offs and grabbed six ground balls, and Nick Peterson collected a seven groundballs and caused two turnovers. Will Ernst played the first 57:20 in goal for the Panthers and made 12 saves.
On Saturday, host No. 6 Amherst (18-2), ousted Middlebury, 16-10. Amherst avenged a 17-11 loss to Middlebury back on March 28 by taking an early 4-0 lead the Jeffs never relinquished. The Panthers came no closer than three goals the rest of the way.
Blockowicz, Kyle Soroka and Rautiola each scored a pair of goals for Middlebury, while Jackson was 18-28 from the faceoff X to lead the Panthers. Nick Peterson picked up a team-high six ground balls, while Ernst made seven saves.