Spicer Drenches Mules
Midfielder Summer Spicer '07 finished off a two-on-one break with nine minutes left in the second overtime to give Swarthmore a 2-1 Centennial Conference victory over Muhlenberg on a wet Saturday afternoon at Clothier Field.
Swarthmore grabbed an early 1-0 lead on the fifth goal of the season by sophomore midfielder Abbie Fischer. The Garnet took possession of the ball around midfield and transitioned down the left side of the field. Senior midfielder Charlotte MacAusland dropped back a pass to forward Heidi Fieselmann, who found the stick of Fischer in front of the goal. Fischer beat Mules goalie Lauren Schram on the left side at 14:51 for the goal.
The Garnet held the advantage, taking the 1-0 lead into the intermission.
The Mules evened the game eight and a half minutes into the second half. Muhlenberg forward Kelly Shetron re-directed a blast from defender Nikki Rhoads off a penalty corner at 43:24. It was Shetron's fourth goal of the season.
The two teams battled through a cold rain, drenching at times, eventually ending up needing the extra sessions.
The Mules were very aggressive in the first overtime, getting off six shots while the Garnet recorded zero. Swarthmore goalie Karen Lorang '07 kept Muhlenberg off the board with six saves in the first overtime, ending with nine for the game.
The game-winner started with senior midfielder Heidi Fielsemann, who controlled the ball at midfield and out and started up field. Spicer ran to the left of Fieselmann, forcing Mule defender Kate Moyer to make a decision. Fieselmann drew Moyer close and fed Spicer who was all alone on the left post. Spicer cleanly fired the ball past Muhlenberg goalie Lauren Schram at 91:00 for her 11th goal of the season.
Fieselmann had two assists on the day as Swarthmore improved to 7-7 overall and 3-4 in the Centennial.
Swarthmore outshot the Mules 16-11 and held a 12-5 advantage on penalty corners.
Schram made five saves in goal as the Mules fell to 8-8 overall and 3-5 in the Centennial.
Swarthmore returns to Clothier Field on Tuesday, October 25 for its annual Senior Night celebration. The Garnet face Haverford at 5:00 p.m.