OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Middlebury College men’s lacrosse team split a pair of games this past weekend played against ranked teams at Stevenson University in Maryland, falling to NESCAC foe Wesleyan on Friday before defeating Dickinson on Saturday.
The Panthers are 2-3 heading into this Saturday’s home opener, at 1 p.m. vs. Bowdoin.
On Friday Wesleyan (5-1 and ranked No. 7 in NCAA Division I last week) bolted to a 9-1 first-half lead over the Panthers and cruised to a 12-6 victory.
Middlebury’s comeback effort against #7 Wesleyan came up short, as the Panthers (1-3, 1-2) suffered a 12-6 loss at the hands of the Cardinals (4-1, 2-1). The game was played as part of the Mustang Classic, hosted by Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Maryland. The Panthers return to action on Saturday when they play #8 Dickinson at Stevenson with an 11:30 a.m. faceoff.
Tyler Forbes finished with two goals and two assists for the Panthers, while Chase Goree scored twice with a helper. Nick Peterson recorded a game-high five ground balls and caused three turnovers, and goalie Charles Midgley finished with 17 saves in goal.
Four players scored twice for the Cardinals, while Carter Hawthorne dished out six assists. Otto Bohan played a majority of the game in goal and made 11 saves.
On Saturday the Panthers scored 10 second-half goals in a 16-11 win over then No. 8 Dickinson (5-2). 
Middlebury scored the game’s first four goals, with A.J. Kucinski tallying twice, and Frank Cosolito and Forbes once apiece, and the Panthers led at the half, 6-4.
The teams traded three-goal runs to open the second half, but the Panthers’ 50-34 edged in shots proved decisive as they slowly pulled away.
Forbes finished with five goals, giving him 16 in five games this season. Kucinski and Frank Cosolito each had three goals and an assist, and Kucinski extended his point streak to 38 games. Jack Hoelzer added a goal and two assists. Pierce Fricke paced the Panthers with four ground balls, Jack Gould won 17 of 30 faceoffs, and Midgley made nine saves. Cole Pellicano made 17 stops for the Red Devils.