Castro Nets Two as No. 17 Garnet Defeat Immaculata 3-0 to Claim Title
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Junior Fabian Castro scored two goals in a 10-minute span of the second half as the No. 17 Swarthmore College men's soccer team (2-0) shook off a sluggish start to defeat Immaculata 3-0 in the finale of the 13th Annual Garnet Alumni Classic on Sunday afternoon from Clothier Field Stadium.
Castro scored two and made the All-Tournament team.
Sophomore Kieran Reichert also found the back of the net late in the first half and junior Morgan Langley added two assists for the second consecutive game. The two assists against Immaculata (0-3) brings the senior's career total to 17, tying him with Len Cuello '95 for the most assists in program history.
With the three-goal victory, Swarthmore (+9) claimed the Garnet Alumni Classic championship over Widener in goal differential (+7). The title is the Garnet's seventh consecutive in the season-opening tournament.
The Garnet dominated the Might Macs in nearly every statistical category, but found it hard to shake the resilient squad in the early going. Despite plenty of golden opportunities - including a disallowed Langley goal in the opening minutes because of offsides - Swarthmore could not capitalize and the game remained scoreless for the first 35 minutes of play.
Finally in the 38th minute, Reichert got the Garnet on the scoreboard, converting off an excellent set-up from Langley to give Swarthmore the 1-0 lead.
The score remained 1-0 until the 51st minute, when the Garnet's relentless attack finally broke down the Might Mac defense. Castro scored his first goal of the season on the counterattack in the 51st minute to make it a 2-0 game, lofting a shot over the goalie on an open breakaway - thanks in part to a Roberto Contreras assist.
Eight minutes later, Castro was at it again - and again he was making it look easy on the counterattack. Set up in a one-on-one situation with the goalie once again - this time from a Langley pass in the midfield - Castro again put it in the back of the net, bringing the game to the 3-0 final.
The Swarthmore defense held the Mighty Mac offense in check all day, allowing just two shots and none on goal. Junior goalie David D'Annuzio got the clean sheet without making a save. Swat held decisive advantages in nearly every category, out-shooting Immaculata 27-2 for the game.
For their efforts, Langley, Castro, Contreras , junior midfielder Micah Rose and senior defender Gage Newman were named to the All-Tournament team.
Swarthmore returns to action this Wednesday with a short trip to Chester to take on tournament participant and fellow unbeaten Widener. Play is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.
Goals: Castro (2) '51, '60, Reichert '38
Video: Castro's second goal helps Swarthmore put the game away