Garnet Down Pioneers, Advance Into ECAC Semifinals
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Swarthmore women's soccer team got goals from freshman Katie Kanuka and senior Natalie Negrey on its way to a 2-1 victory over Widener in ECAC South Region quarterfinal action Thursday night at Clothier Field. The No. 2 seed Garnet (15-4-1) advance to the semifinals in Westminster, Pa. on November 11, facing third-seed FDU-Florham at 2:00 p.m.
Swarthmore completed its home schedule with an impressive 10-1-1 record on Clothier Field. It is the first ECAC Tournament victory for the Garnet in their first attempt.
The Swarthmore women pressed the action early on - freshman All-Centennial midfielder Maggie DeLorme had a great chance at a goal in the 20th minute, sending a header towards an open far post - the Widener defense was able to clear the ball safely.
Swarthmore did get on the board in the 42nd minute with Kanuka's team-leading 17th goal of 2006. Negrey and Kanuka came upon a loose ball at the top of the Pioneers box; both players hesitated for a brief second before Kanuka pushed the ball forward and left loose a left-footed shot into the far left corner at 41:44.
The Garnet held the 1-0 lead into the halftime, out-shooting the Pioneers 5-4 in the process.
Swarthmore added a second goal in the first ten minutes of the second half when Kanuka was taken down by Widener goalkeeper Kelli Quinn at the top of the penalty box. Negrey converted the ensuing penalty kick at 54:25 for her fifth score of the season and, in her final game on Clothier Field, tallied her 21st career goal.
The Pioneers put up a score in the 69th minute created by the extra effort of freshman forward Kim Sharpless. She won the battle over a loose ball with Swarthmore All-Centennial defender Cait Mullarkey '09 and raced up the right side line. Sharpless got about 15 yards out and deftly rolled a cross through the Garnet box to charging junior forward Melanie Miller. Miller one-timed a hard shot into the lower right corner at 68:17 to cut the lead to 2-1. It was Miller's tenth score of the season, tying her for tops on the team.
The Swarthmore back line prevented any strong scoring chances as the Pioneers turned up the attack. Garnet goalkeeper Lauren Walker had to make only one stop for her 10th win of the season.
The Garnet out-shot the Pioneers 14-7, including a 9-3 margin in the second half.
The Pioneers conclude the 2006 season, one of the best in school history, with a record of 13-7-1. Quinn made two saves for Widener while freshman Alee Gunter posted one stop in relief.
The Garnet now make the long trek out to Westminster, Pa. for the semifinals of the ECAC South Region Tournament. In other ECAC South action, fourth-seed Gettysburg defeated Wilkes 2-1 in overtime for the right to take on top-seed Westminster (2-0 winners over Frostburg State) in the other ECAC South Region semifinal.