Swarthmore Ousted From NCAA Tournament by Transylvania in Shootout
PITTSBURGH – Junior Gage Newman scored the game-tying goal against Transylvania (15-3-2) in the 85th minute of play to send the game into overtime at 1-1, but Swarthmore’s (16-2-3) quest for an appearance in the NCAA Division III men's soccer Final Four was halted when the Garnet fell to the Pioneers 4-1 in penalty kicks.
Newman scored the game-tying goal in the 85th minute, his 5th of the season.
In what may now be called, “Garnet-esque” fashion, Swarthmore kept its hopes alive with yet another late-game stunner off of the foot of junior defender Newman. With time ticking down and the pressure mounting on the Garnet offense, junior Morgan Langley punched the ball in front of the net and that fell at the feet of Newman who launched it past the Pioneer keeper.
Earlier in the second half, Swarthmore was given its first golden opportunity to take the lead with a Transylvania foul inside the box to set up a penalty kick for sophomore David Sterngold. Sterngold lined up for the kick and sailed it high and wide for a missed opportunity.
Minutes later, with momentum in its favor, Transylvania’s Tony Spero popped up a header over top of junior keeper ZachWeimar and just under the crossbar to put the Pioneers up 1-0.
In overtime, both defenses held strong allowing only two shots on goal. The Pioneers were inches away from netting the game winner in the first overtime with a header off of the crossbar in the final minute.
After 110 minutes, the game would be decided in a shootout. After the Transylvania squeezed its first shot past Weimar, Sterngold stepped up to the plate and redeemed himself to tie the shootout at 1-1.
From that point on, Transylvania took control of the shootout, blocking the next two Garnet shots and netting its next three.
For the game, Swarthmore out shot the Pioneers 20-9 and led in corners 11-3.
Swarthmore ends its season with a 16-2-3 record and two consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.