Garnet Fall in Allentown
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Muhlenberg benefited from a large advantage in shots, defeating Swarthmore 3-1 in Centennial field hockey action Saturday afternoon. The Mules and the Garnet now have identical records (9-6 overall and 4-4 in the Centennial) in the race for a conference playoff spot.
Muhlenberg got on the board early when LisaAnn Polt deflected in a shot from the top of the circle by teammate Nikki Rhoads at 10:10.
The Garnet evened the affair at 24:03 when sophomore Sarah Reynolds tipped in a shot by senior midfielder Summer Spicer. It is the first goal of the season for Reynolds and the team-high fifth helper from Spicer.
The score remained tied 1-1 into the intermission with the Mules holding a 17-4 shot advantage (Muhlenberg also took nine corners to one for the Garnet).
The Mules took control of the game in the final ten minutes; Nicole Notarianni finished off a scramble in front of the net at 60:39 for the game-winner and teammate Jillian Duffy put back a rebound off a penalty corner at 62:22 to secure the win.
Garnet goalie Karen Lorang made a strong effort between the pipes, tallying 13 saves while facing a barrage of shots (the Mules finished the afternoon with a 36-6 lead in the category). Mules counterpart Lauren Schram put up three saves on her end of the field.
Swarthmore is now in a three-way tie with the Mules and Franklin & Marshall for the fifth and final spot in the 2006 Centennial Conference playoffs.
Swarthmore continues its quest for a Centennial playoff spot on the road -taking on Haverford on Tues., October 29 at 4:00 p.m. The Garnet conclude the 2006 regular season on Saturday, Oct. 28th with the annual Senior Day celebration against F&M at 1:00 p.m.