Mules Buck Garnet Out of CC Playoffs
Muhlenberg scored twice in the first half on its way to a 3-0 victory over Swarthmore in semi-final action of the 2005 Centennial Conference Playoffs on the campus of McDaniel College on Saturday afternoon.
The Mules, seeded No. 3, got on the board in the 12 the minute on a goal by midfielder Jose Ramirez. Muhlenberg forced a turnover in the midfield and sent a ball into the left corner. Senior forward James Henshaw won the race and crossed the ball back across the Garnet goal mouth, past lunging Swarthmore goalkeeper Reuben Heyman-Kantor '06. Ramirez came streaking up field, unmarked, and easily tapped the ball into the open net at 11:55 for a 1-0 lead.
Muhlenberg used a bit of deception for the second score. A Swarthmore defender was flagged for a hand ball 10 yards outside the Garnet box. Mules' midfielder Jonathan Kliewer lined up for the free kick as the Garnet defense built a wall in front of Heyman-Kantor. Kliewer took two steps towards the ball like he was going to drive a shot towards the goal. At the last second, the sophomore touched a slow roller towards Muhlenberg midfielder Christopher King. King, the leading scorer in the Centennial during the regular season, uncorked a low-liner inside the right post at 31:40 to give the Mules a two-goal lead.
Swarthmore, the No. 2 seed, failed to capitalize on a terrific scoring chance as time wound down in the first half. Junior forward Colton Bangs controlled the ball on the Mules end line, drawing Muhlenberg goalie Peter Bennett off his line. Bangs lofted the ball over Bennett's head towards the far post. Swarthmore midfielder Patrick Christmas '08 sent a header towards the empty net, by a Muhlenberg defender was able to prevent the ball from entering the goal.
The Mules added an insurance goal by Henshaw at 76:15 to ensure a trip to the championship match on Sunday afternoon. Muhlenberg will face No. 5 seed Gettysburg, a 1-0 winner in double-overtime over top-seeded McDaniel.
Bennett made six saves in goal for the Mules, while Heyman-Kantor registered two stops for Swarthmore (12-5-1).
The Garnet will have to wait until Monday afternoon to see if they receive an invitation to play in the 2005 E.C.A.C. Tournament. Swarthmore reached the finals of the 2004 E.C.A.C. Tournament, falling to Wesley (DE) 3-1.