Kanuka, Garnet Light Up Swat Kick Classic
SWARTHMORE BOX SCORE
DICKINSON/CENTENARY BOX SCORE
OFFICIAL RELEASE
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Garnet freshman forward Katie Kanuka scored her second game-winning goal in her second career game, this one coming in the 84th minute, as Swarthmore women's soccer defeated William Paterson 2-1 in the Swat Kick Classic on Sunday afternoon at Clothier Stadium.
Dickinson (2-0) got a pair of goals from senior midfielder Lisa Nichols on the way to a 3-0 victory over Centenary (0-2) in the final game of the 11th annual Kick Classic.
Kanuka put her unique skills on display again, scoring the first goal of the game in the 29th minute. Garnet freshman midfielder Maggie DeLorme headed a long ball through to a streaking Kanuka who outraced one defender and struck the ball past William Paterson goalkeeper Caitlin Kiernan for a 1-0 lead.
The Pioneers knotted the score on a penalty kick at the 56:29 mark; sophomore midfielder Amanda Kurdyla converted the chance for William Paterson.
Thoughts of overtime began to creep around Clothier Field but the young Garnet would have none of it. Sophomore back Alexa Bensimhon played a long ball over the midfield and it was Kanuka with the first touch. The freshman forward separated from the Pioneers' backline and easily beat Kiernan for the game-winner at 85:18. It is the third goal of the season for Kanuka, a team-high.
The Swarthmore defense put on another stingy display during the Kick Classic, led by Garnet sophomore goaltender Lauren Walker who allowed only one goal in two games in 180 minutes of play while making four saves.
Swarthmore will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 9 against Widener University right here at Clothier Field at 7:00 p.m.