No. 6 Garnet Battle Muhlenberg to 0-0 Tie; Clinch Spot in Centennial Conference Playoffs
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - 110 minutes just wasn't enough for two of the top teams in the Centennial Conference.
In a well played and evenly contested match, the No. 6 Swarthmore College men's soccer team (13-1-2, 5-1-2) used an outstanding defensive performance and a stellar outing from junior captain goalkeeper Zach Weimar to earn a 0-0 tie against first-place Muhlenberg (10-3-2, 6-1-1) on Senior Night from Clothier Field Stadium.
With the tie, the Mules remain on top of the Centennial standings, while the Garnet clinch a spot in the Centennial Conference playoffs.
Omari Faakye was one of two Garnet seniors honored prior to the game,
Two of the best offenses in the Centennial were slowed by excellent defensive performances by both sides. Weimar made six saves in goal for the Garnet, including three from point-blank range to preserve the tie for the Garnet. He also got plenty of help from his backline, as sophomore Brett McLarney, sophomore Pierre Dyer and freshmen John Pontillo and Kieran Reichert helped to limit chances for the Mules.
Still, the Garnet offense had its chances, out-shooting Muhlenberg 23-14 and finishing with a 6-6 tie in shots on goal.
Some of the best chances for Swat came following the opening whistle and right before the final whistle of play.
The Garnet – just like it has all season – went on the attack from the start and almost took the early advantage. In the fourth minute, sophomore Fabian Castro struck the crossbar on a blast from just within the 18-yard box, only to be followed by shot on goal from point-blank range by sophomore David Sterngold seconds later off the rebound. But Muhlenberg goalkeeper Jason Daniels - who finished with six saves - was there for the save to end the threat.
Then in the final overtime, the Garnet attack went all-out, putting two shots on goal and constant pressure on the Mules' defense for nearly the entire 10 minutes, but Swat just couldn't find the back of the net. Junior Morgan Langley put a shot on goal from the left wing in the 106th minute and then in the final minute of play, senior Dylan Langley - playing his final game at Clothier Field - raced down the right wing on a ball from the midfield and stuck a well-kicked ball right at the 'keeper to end the Garnet's final scoring chance.
The game marked the final regular season home game for seniors Dylan Langley and Omari Faakye. The duo leave with 56 career wins at Swarthmore; the most for any graduating class in program history.
The Garnet completed the home schedule at 8-0-1, marking the fourth time in program history that a team has gone the season without a home loss (1966, 1985, 2004).
The Garnet close out the regular season on Saturday when it travels to rival Haverford. Action is slated to being at 1:00 p.m. The Garnet will then wait to find out its seed in the Centennial Conference playoffs, which will begin on either Wednesday, November 4, or Saturday, November 7.