Washington Reels In Victory for Garnet
Brandon Washington '08 finished off a break-away with three seconds left in overtime to elevate Swarthmore to a 1-0 victory at Widener on a muggy Wednesday night in the first night game in the history of Pioneer soccer.
The Garnet, playing away from friendly Clothier Field for the first time in 2005, fought tooth-and-nail with the Pioneers on the newly-renovated Quick Stadium carpet for over 99 minutes, and had nothing to show for it.
Widener got a strong run on the left flank with time winding down in the first overtime, and Swarthmore sloppily cleared the ball over the end line. Twenty-six seconds remained and the Pioneers called for everyone to crowd the box for a desperation corner kick.
Freshman Doug Gabel booted a high ball to the center of the goal mouth where a gaggle of players lurched for position. Garnet senior goal keeper Reuben Heyman-Kantor won the battle, leaping high to gain control. The keeper instinctively took three strides and punted the ball all the way over the midfield stripe.
Washington waited on the Pioneer side of the line, entertained by a pair of Widener defenders. The sophomore played the ball over his left shoulder, away from one defender, and made a nifty touch to his left and separated from the second defender. Pioneer goalie Matt Huminski charged out to thwart the rush, but a fleet Washington won the race to the ball and deftly touched the ball between the goalie's feet, and into the back of the net, to end the match.
It was the first goal of the season for Washington, the sixth score of his career, and the first game-winner.
Heyman-Kantor enjoyed a big night, making a pair of saves for his second shut out of the season, and then tallied the second point of his career. He assisted on a goal in a 3-1 Swarthmore win at Franklin & Marshall on October 4, 2003 for the other point.
The Garnet enjoyed a 13-10 advantage in the shot department on the evening.
Huminski made four saves in goal as Widener dropped to 3-2 on the season.
The Garnet (4-1) begin the Centennial portion of their schedule on Saturday evening when they host Dickinson (4-1), a 1-0 winner over Susquehanna (No. 8 in the Mid-Atlantic region) on Wednesday night. Last season Swarthmore snapped an 11-game losing streak with a 1-0 double overtime victory in Carlisle, Pa. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Clothier Field.