Garnet Jog Past Griffins
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Garnet women's soccer team broke the school record for victories in a season, downing Chestnut Hill 3-1 on a warm Wednesday evening at Clothier Field.
Swarthmore improved to 11-3-1 on the season while the Griffins slipped to 8-6-2. Swarthmore is 6-0-1 against non-Centennial opponents this season - its final two regular season games with be Centennial matches on Clothier Field. The 11 victories broke the school record set by the 2002 squad (10-9).
The Garnet scored in the opening minutes of action when Katie Kanuka dropped a pass back to the middle of the goal mouth where junior Danielle Tocchet one-touched the ball and beat Griffins goalie Krista Deflaviis on the left side of the net. It was Tocchet's second goal in as many games and her third score of the season.
Swarthmore took the 1-0 lead into the intermission, out-shooting Chestnut Hill 12-3.
The Garnet added a second goal at the start of the second half when Kanuka beat her defender and tried to chip the ball over Deflaviis' head. The Chestnut hill goalkeeper got a piece of the shot, but not enough to keep it from bouncing in the right side of the net. For Kanuka, it is her team-leading 15th score of the season - good for tops in the Centennial.
Chestnut Hill cut the deficit to 2-1 when Griffins midfielder Maureen Dugat converted a penalty kick in the 71st minute of play.
The Garnet put the game out of reach when sophomore forward Melinda Petre scored her second goal of the season at 85:14. Swarthmore senior Natalie Negrey sent a corner to the near post and a Griffin defender knocked the ball away from the net. The ball bounced right to Petre, who volleyed it home for a 3-1 Swarthmore lead.
Swarthmore starting goalkeeper Lauren Walker '09 made a save in the first 61 minutes and junior Kristen Traband added a stop in almost 30 minutes of action. Deflaviis registered seven saves for Chestnut Hill.
Swarthmore resumes Centennial action at home on Saturday, Oct. 21 when defending champion Dickinson comes to Clothier Field for a 4:00 p.m. game.