Terker, Garnet Capture Alumni Classic Title!
Senior forward Andrew Terker '06 came through for Swarthmore once again, scoring the game-winning goal in the second overtime to lift the Garnet to a 2-1 victory over Scranton in the Garnet Alumni Classic on Sunday afternoon. The win clinched the second consecutive Classic title for Swarthmore.
In earlier action, Widener (1-1) defeated Earlham (Ind.) 1-0, in overtime, courtesy of a Ryan Sullivan goal in the 95th minute.
Scranton put up the first goal 12 minutes into the game, establishing control of the game early. Freshman defender Gary Racich found himself all alone in the far left corner and calmly lofted a cross over the center of the Garnet goalmouth. Forward Kyle Falana got excellent position on a Swarthmore defender and headed the ball into the net for a 1-0 Royal lead.
The score stayed that way until the 65th minute, when freshman forward Stu Leon headed in a Darren Johnson cross to knot the score at one goal a side.
The previous two meetings between Swarthmore and Scranton ended without a clear winner. In 2003, the Garnet escaped Scranton with a 1-1 overtime draw in hand, and last season the Royals left Swarthmore with a 0-0 double overtime tie. Sunday's contest had a similar feeling to it.
Terker, the owner of four game-wining goals in 2004, re-entered the game at 68:39 with only one thought in mind-put the ball in the net. The 2004 All-Centennial performer tried several times to find an opening, finally getting a clear look three and a half minutes into the second extra session. Terker corralled a long pass on the left flank, and then lofted the ball over the outstretched arm of Royal keeper David Keib into the top right corner for the championship.
Garnet senior keeper Reuben Heyman-Kantor made five saves in goal as Swarthmore improved their record to 2-0 on the season. Keib registered five saves as Scranton dropped to 1-1.
The Garnet captains, upon accepting the Alumni Classic championship trophy, presented the plaque to the family of the late Tariq Fischer '08 who took in Sunday's match.
Swarthmore will host Moravian in their next game, an 8:00 p.m. match on Clothier Field this coming Wednesday.
Swarthmore Box
Earlham/Widener Box
All Tournament Team
F - Andrew Terker -Swarthmore
F - Tim Logan - Scranton
F - Stu Leon - Swarthmore
M - Atiq Zamani - Earlham
M - Patrick Christmas - Swarthmore
M - Ryan Sullivan - Widener
D - John Musser - Widener
D - Gary Racich - Scranton
D - Alex Elkins - Swarthmore
D - Brendan Grady - Swarthmore
D - David Hibber-Rode - Earlham
G - David Keib - Scranton