Andrew Herzik scored five goals and dished out three assists in Middlebury's win over Virginia Tech

TUCSON, ARIZONA - Andrew Herzik (Sr., Redondo Beach, CA) scored five goals and handed out three assists to earn Player of the Game honors and lead the Middlebury College Panthers to a 13-5 win over Virginia Tech University in the opening round of the 2007 National Collegiate Club Championship at the University of Arizona's Student Recreation Center pool.

The Panthers never trailed in the game as Middlebury built an 8-2 lead by halftime to cruise to victory.

Herzik was the star of the game tallying a hat-trick in the first half to power the Panthers' offense.

Peter Swanson (Jr., Woodbridge, CT) and Robert Burton (Sr., Oakpark, IL) chipped in three and two goals, respectively, while Matt Sullivan (Sr., Kailua, HI), Kevin O'Rourke (Jr., Chagrin Falls, OH) and Mitch Tucker (Fr., Palatine, IL) all found the back of the cage for solo scores.

Virginia Tech was led by Rory Brannan (Sr., Towson, MD) who tallied a pair of goals, while Chris Roil (Sr., Towson, MD), Peter Biskaduros (Jr., Fairfax, VA) and Joe Dorsch (So., Souderton, PA) dropped in single scores.

In cage, Patrick Burton (So., Oakpark, IL) stopped nine shots for Middlebury. Virginia Tech's Joe Niewola (Fr., Williamsburg, VA) also stopped nine shots for the Hokies.

Middlebury will continue the tournament at 12:30 p.m. on November 10 against Cal Poly State University in the second round, while Virginia Tech will take on Georgia Tech at 7:30 p.m. this evening.

Middlebury Goals -- Andrew Herzik (5); Peter Swanson (3); Robert Burton (2); Matt Sullivan; Kevin O'Rourke; Mitch Tucker

Virginia Tech Goals -- Rory Brannan (2); Chris Roil; Peter Biskaduros; Joe Dorsch

Middlebury Assists -- Andrew Herzik (3); Toshi Kido

Virginia Tech Assists -- None

Saves: Middlebury - Patrick Burton (9) ; Virginia Tech - Joe Niewola (9)

Ejections: Middlebury - 5 ; Virginia Tech - 6

Sprints: Middlebury - 4 ; Virginia Tech - 0