Mecaj Strikes Down Garnet
Delaware Valley striker Ana Mecaj scored both goals as the Aggies defeated the Swarthmore 2-0 on Wednesday afternoon in Doylestown, Pa.
Mecaj, a senior forward, was named the Freedom Conference Player of the Week on Monday, and kept her hot streak going against the Garnet (2-4-1). She nailed her first goal just eight minutes into the game, driving a free kick into the top right corner for a 1-0 Aggie lead.
The Garnet controlled the ball for much of the first half, getting outstanding play from Lauren Stadler '06 and Caitlin Mullarkey '09 on defense, and some good combinations by sophomores Danielle Tocchet '08 and Megan Sanborn. Unfortunately these attacks came up empty and the teams went into halftime with Del. Valley maintaining the 1-0 advantage.
Swarthmore continued to dictate the game in the second half, feeding off the energy of goalie-turned -striker Lauren Walker '09.
Mecaj struck again in the 82nd minute, gaining control of a thru-ball and separated from a pair of Swarthmore defenders for enough time to rip another missile into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Walker and Kristen Traband '08 combined to make ten saves in goal for the Garnet.
Swarthmore will open its Centennial Conference schedule on Saturday night at 5:00 p.m., when they play host to the Diplomats from Franklin & Marshall on Clothier Field.