Washington Steals the Ball, Garnet Down Fords
Yoi Tibbets '09 scored his first collegiate goal with 2:51 remaining in regulation and Stu Leon '09 added the game-winner as the Garnet defeated host Haverford 2-1 in double overtime on a frigid Saturday afternoon.
Swarthmore (12-4-1, 6-2-1 CC) got off to a fast start, but it was the hosts who got on the board first. Standing about 30 yards out, Fords freshman Eric Kissinger corralled an attempted clear, took one touch, and hit a booming shot over the crowd in front of the net and into the upper right corner of the goal, giving Haverford a 1-0 lead 20:10 into the match. This seemed to take the wind out of Swarthmore's sails and they struggled to get offensive chances during the rest of the half.
As fans for both teams got increasingly vocal, Swarthmore dominated the second half, out-shooting the Fords (5-11-1, 1-8 CC) 15-4. Coach Eric Wagner went with an attacking lineup, playing leading scorer Andrew Terker '06 at center midfield for much of the half, and it paid off as the offense created several numerous scoring chances and the back line was able to shut down the rare Ford offensives. The Garnet had a pretty goal called back early in the half due to numerous players being offsides and had several shots sail just off net. All of this nearly went for naught, and as the clock ticked under three minutes, the score was still 1-0.
Finally, Tibbets came through with the equalizer. Alex Elkins '05 played the ball towards the left side, and Washington touched the ball to Tibbets, who sent a left-footed blast well out of the reach of goalkeeper Alec Aramanda. Swarthmore kept up the intensity and almost won the game in regulation. With just seconds remaining, David Hoyt '06 fed a wide-open Terker who got a shot off, but Aramanda dove and pushed the ball just wide as time expired.
Tibbets nearly won the game in the first overtime, but Aramanda made another diving on save on the freshman's attempted header. The teams exchanged chances but could not convert; this one would go down to the wire.
The Garnet continued to control play, and, with just under four minutes remaining, got another break. Washington stuck his foot out and stole an attempted pass from a Ford defender. The sophomore found Leon in a soft spot in the Ford defense, and the team's leading scorer (six goals in 2005) put home the game winner.
Reuben Heyman-Kantor made five saves for his twelfth win of the season.
For the match, Swarthmore outshot Haverford 30-15.
Swarthmore clinched second place in the Centennial Conference with the win and will face the #3-seed Muhlenberg next Saturday. The Mules downed the Garnet 1-0 in Allentown, Pa. on October 19.
McDaniel, after winning 3-0 over Washington on Saturday afternoon, wins the regular season title and will host the Centennial Championship Tournament on November 5 and 6.