Garnet Women Clinch Third CC Playoff Berth on Senior Night
SWARTHMORE, Pa. -- The Garnet women's soccer team hit every part of the goal Wednesday evening, but could not get one in the net, settling for a 0-0 double overtime tie with Haverford. The good news is Swarthmore clinches its third consecutive Centennial Conference playoff berth.
Wednesday night marked the final home regular season match for Swarthmore and the team honored its four seniors—back Alexa Bensimhon (Allentown, Pa. / Moravian Academy), back Cait Mullarkey (Wilmington, Del. / Ursuline Academy), forward Melinda Petre (Clarksville, Md. / Atholton) and goalkeeper Lauren Walker (Fallston, Md. / The Hotchkiss School [CT]). This graduating class is responsible for turning the Garnet women’s soccer program into a regional power. Under their watch, Swarthmore has broke all offensive and defensive school records, amassed 41 wins (most by any class in the 26-year history of the program), won the 2007 ECAC Division III Southern Region championship, appeared in the Conference championship match and achieved a national ranking.
Just about the only place constant success has avoided the class of 2009 can be found in the rivalry with the Fords (1-1-1 the last three seasons). The two sides battled to a 1-1 tie on a chilly fall day at Haverford in 2007, and the cold followed the Fords to Clothier Field Wednesday night.
The Garnet women looked strong early, out-shooting Haverford 7-2 in the first half. Several good opportunities went past without resulting in a goal. Petre just missed high on a shot early on and Garnet junior midfielder Maggie DeLorme (Lusby, Md. / Patuxent) drilled the bottom of the cross bar late in the first half, the ball bouncing inches from crossing the line.
The second half opened with Swarthmore sophomore forward Kelsey Cline (Stamford, Wash. / Stamford) bang a cross from classmate Amy Vachal (Somerset, N.J. / Rutgers Prep) off the post. The Garnet women kept the pressure up, posting a 17-8 shot advantage over the 110 minutes of action.
The scoreless draw could have been predicted – the senior goalkeepers on either side both rank in the top-five in Centennial history for shutouts (49 total). Walker made five saves Wednesday night for her 25th career shutout, putting her a tie for third all-time while Fords’ Lindsay Festa made six saves for her 24th shutout.
Swarthmore’s record now stands at 9-3-3 overall and 5-1-3 in the Centennial. The Garnet have accumulated 18 points and currently sit in third place with one match left in the regular season, an 11:00 a.m. match-up at Franklin & Marshall on Sat., November 1.
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