MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Backstopped by a seven-save effort from junior goalkeeper Sam Maidenberg (South Orange, N.J.), including several from point-blank range, the No. 25 Connecticut College men's soccer team downed Wesleyan by a 1-0 score on Tuesday evening at Citrin Field. With the victory, the Camels clinched the top seed in the upcoming NESCAC Tournament for the first time in program history.

The teams played the match conservatively at the start, as neither side attempted a shot of any kind through the first 25 minutes of action, and the first one on goal didn't even come until the 37th minute.
 
But with time winding down in the first half, the Camels were able to get on the board first with 3:34 remaining in the half. Freshman Luke Cibelli (New York, N.Y.) fired a shot from the right side which was saved by a diving Liam Devanny, and sophomore Jake Creus (Rye, N.Y.) was able to punch the rebound into the back of the net through the pouring rain to make it 1-0.
 
The second half started off completely different from the first with both teams fully on the attack. Junior Alex Robles (Reston, Va.) rifled a shot from the edge of the box that made it past Devanny, but defender Max Hofstetter cleared the ball away before it could cross the goal line for a team save.
 
Wesleyan (10-3-2, NESCAC 5-3-2) then countered and had two excellent opportunities that would be denied by junior goalkeeper Sam Maidenberg (South Orange, N.J.). The Cardinals quickly transitioned the other way following the team save and had a wide-open Lucas Ruehlemann take an initial shot from the top of the box that was saved by Maidenberg.
 
After the Camels gained possession, Christopher Textor stole the ball on the ensuing clear attempt and fed an open Dane Harmaty for another big look that Maidenberg successfully punched away.
 
The Cardinals outshot the Camels by a 7-2 count in the second half, but they could not get anything past the defense and Maidenberg. A last attempt by Hofstetter sailed high and wide, and the visitors held on for the win.
 
Maidenberg earned his sixth shutout victory by making seven stops for Connecticut College, which handed the Cardinals their first loss since Sept. 14 and also ended their 11-match unbeaten streak. DeVanny, who faced only four shots to Maidenberg's 10, finished with one save in the losing effort.
 
The Connecticut College men's soccer team (12-3, NESCAC 8-2) is the first program in any sport at the institution to earn the top seed in a NESCAC Tournament since volleyball accomplished the feat in 2012. The Camels will first host the eighth seed in the quarterfinal round on Saturday, Oct. 30 at a time to be determined.