Mills Scores in OT as No. 18/20 Garnet Defeat Widener 1-0
CHESTER, Pa. - Junior Elizabeth Mills scored the game-winning goal from 10-yards out in the second minute of overtime as the No. 18/20 Swarthmore women's soccer team (7-1) defeated previously unbeaten Widener (7-1-1) on Thursday evening.
Despite getting eight shots on goal in regulation and controlling the tempo throughout, the Garnet just couldn't catch a offensive break against the Pride's defense. That changed with the start of overtime. Mills took a pass on the left wing from fellow junior Kirsten Peterson and beat Widener keeper Vanessa Hejnas to win the game for Swat.
The Garnet celebrate the OT win at Widener.
Sophomore goalkeeper Marie Mutryn - the reigning Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week - and the rest of the Garnet defense was dominant for the second consecutive game - allowing the home-standing Pride just one shot on goal for the entire game while owning a significant advantage in 50/50 balls.
The Garnet dominated the possession and tempo of the game from the opening whistle, registering four shots on goal - three from junior Megan Colombo alone. But the Pride packed in the defense to limit the Garnet attack towards the end of the half, and the game would remain scoreless heading into halftime.
In the second half, the Garnet created even more offensive scoring opportunities, but still couldn't find the back of the net. Peterson almost gave Swat the lead in the 80th minute, but her attempt was thwarted by a great save from Widener's substitute goalkeeper Vanessa Hejnas.
For the game, the Garnet held a 9-1 edge in shots on goal. Mutryn made one save between the pipes.
The win is the Garnet's second sudden death OT win of the season - Swat defeated Elizabethtown 1-0 (OT) on September 12.
With the victory, Swarthmore now ties Widener 2-2 in the inaugural "320 Challenge" - sweeping the soccer portion of the competition.
The victory is the 49th in the career of fifth-year head coach Todd Anckaitis.
The road doesn't get any easier for the Garnet, as it hosts the four-time defending Centennial Conference champions No. 14 Johns Hopkins on Saturday from Clothier Field. Action is slated to begin at 3:00 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Swarthmore Athletics Web site.