LEWISTON — Harry Stanton scored the game-winning goal with 4:58 to go as second-seeded Wesleyan rallied to defeat sixth-seeded Middlebury, 9-8, to win the NESCAC men’s lacrosse championship game at Bates College on Sunday.

Wesleyan trailed for most of the game but held Middlebury to just two second-half goals and outscored the Panthers 3-0 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback.

Carter Hawthorne set up Christian Barker for a man-up goal to pull the Cardinals within 8-7 with 10:56 remaining. Barker returned the favor as Hawthorne notched the game-tying goal with 8:48 to go.

Barker led the Cardinals with two goals and two assists, while Taylor Ghesquiere notched a hat trick. A.J. Kucinski paced the Panthers with a goal and four assists.

Ted Bergman made 12 saves in net for Wesleyan (16-1). Charles Midgley stopped 13 shots for Middlebury (9-9). 

It is Wesleyan’s first conference title since 2009.