Garnet Dodge Red Devils, Mother Nature
Midfielder J.P. Faunes '08 and forward Stu Leon '09 scored goals as Swarthmore defeated Dickinson 2-0 on a stormy Saturday night at Clothier Field.
Both squads came into the contest with matching 4-1 records, and played with the same level of skill for much of the first half.
Swarthmore were able to capitalize on a Red Devil foul early in the game. Faunes took the kick, curving the ball around the wall and back inside the post to beat Dickinson keeper Aaron Stemplewicz at 9:04 for a 1-0 lead. The score marks the first goal of Faunes' collegiate career.
Play was halted with 9:39 left in the first half as the referee spied strikes of lighting surrounding the field. Both teams milled around Lamb-Miller Fieldhouse as the officials and coaches conferred about resuming the match.
Both teams took to the field exactly one hour after the match was stopped and resumed their battle on the Opening Night of the Centennial Conference.
The Garnet (5-1, 1-0 CC) were able to tack on an insurance goal with time winding down in the match. Midfielder Ladule Lako La Sarah '09 glided by the Dickinson defender along the right sideline, finally arching a cross into the top of the box. A Red Devil defender stepped in and deflected the pass. Unfortunately for Dickinson, Leon was there to pounce, taking one step before striking the ball into the left side of the goal for his third score, a team-high, of the season.
Senior Reuben Heyman-Kantor had another strong night, making six saves for his third shutout of the year.
Stemplewicz made five stops as Dickinson fell to 4-2 overall, 0-1 in the Centennial.
The Garnet will welcome Gettysburg to Clothier Field on Saturday, September 24 in their next game.
History is not on Swarthmore's side; the Garnet have not beaten the Bullets in 20 years and its been 11 years since a Swarthmore player (Len Cuello '94) scored in the match up. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.