Short Swat Squad Comes Up Short
A depleted Garnet women's soccer squad battled Ursinus (8-2-1, 3-1-1 CC ) in Collegeville on Wednesday evening, dropping a 1-0 decision in Centennial Conference action.
Head coach Todd Anckaitis dressed 13 players, desimated by injuries to some key players and class committments by others. "We gave a gritty performance even though there were many obstacles out of our control that we had to overcome," Anckaitis said. "Combine the tough field conditions, a 4:00 midweek game away, and a loss of several key personnel, and we had some real challenges before Ursinus even stepped on the field."
Even with those challenges and a strong Ursinus squad in opposition the Garnet took it to them early in the first half, creating multiple chances early to put a crooked number on the board.
Ursinus got a break when defender Alexandra Bensimhon '09 came up hobbled on a [Bears] runner, Noelle Bisinger, through the box and Bisinger finished off a cross to tuck the game-winner inside the near post. It was the fifth game-winner of the season for the dangerous Bisinger.
The Garnet didn't let the goal break their spirits; Nicole Oberfoell '06 filled in for the hobbled Bensimhon, and the Garnet didn't miss a beat.
"Caitlin Mullarkey played a heck of a game for us in the back helping Nicole, being a field leader, and finding time to do what she does best defend one on one," Anckaitis said.
The Garnet got another great game from freshman goalkeeper Lauren Walker '09, who made nine saves. Walker even tallied her first collegiate penalty kick save as she stuffed an Ursinus attacker after a controversial call in the box. Sophmore goaltender Kristen Traband '08, inserted at the 66:39 mark, continued the high-level of play in the box, making three saves including a diving save on a one-on-one opportunity when the Bears' Sarah Gardner sent the ball off the crossbar and the rebounded shot hit a Garnet defender.
Many positives have come out of the last couple matches; Swarthmore's attack leads the Centennial with a 71% shots-on-goal percentage during conference games. That continued on Wednesday night as many of their chances were dangerous.
"That [shots-on-goal stat] is a phenomenal number and we've placed a lot of emphasis on getting quality chances," said Anckaitis. "The team has done a great job of improving in this area."
Swarthmore (2-7-3, 0-3-2 CC) 6is hoping the percentages will be in their favor when the Garnet return home for their next game, hosting nationally-ranked Johns Hopkins in a Centennial Conference match beginning at 7:00 p.m. Anckaitis said of Friday's match-up. "Hopkins is a tough squad but we're going to come out battling as we always do."