CHESTER, Pa. - A first-half goal from junior Cameron French and an early second-half penalty kick score from sophomore Michael Stewart propelled the Swarthmore College men's soccer team (4-0-0) to a 2-1 victory over host Widener on Wednesday evening in a 320 Challenge match from Quick Stadium.

Tori Remondelli scored for the host Pride (1-4-0) on a penalty kick of his own in the 78th minute, as Widener staged a late rally to make it interesting. Junior Jack Momeyer and sophomore Michael Superdock assisted on French's goal in the 33rd minute, which came off a corner kick.

The victory is the Garnet's fourth-consecutive to begin the 2012 campaign and sets up a massive showdown on Saturday in Lancaster when Swarthmore opens Centennial Conference play against No. 5 Franklin & Marshall.

The Garnet outplayed the Pride for much of the match -- owning a 9-2 edge in shots on target -- but the outcome was in question until the final whistle.

In the opening 30 minutes, the Garnet put four shots on goal -- two each by Momeyer and junior Joe Keedy -- but were denied each time by Widener 'keeper Jakub Valdner. The breakthrough finally came in the 33rd minute, when the defender French scored off a corner kick with assists from Momeyer and Superdock, giving Swat the 1-0 lead.

The Garnet's domination of play continued through the second half. A foul in the area -- which was followed shortly by a red card on the Widener bench -- in the 55th minute set up a penalty kick for Swarthmore. Stewart stepped up and shot to the inside right post, beating the goalkeeper to put the Garnet ahead 2-0.

Swarthmore appeared to be on cruise control until the Pride engineered a rally in the final 15 minutes of play. Remondelli's penalty shot goal, which was awarded following a yellow card on Swat goalkeeper Jake Tracy, cut the Garnet lead in half at 2-1. With new life, Widener registered one final scoring chance in the final minute of play, but defender Kevin Martin's header sailed high of the goal, sealing the victory for the Garnet.

In goal for Swarthmore, Tracy made one save. Valdner made seven saves for the Pride.

With the victory, Swarthmore takes a 2-1 lead over Widener in the 2012 320-Challenge.

Play at Franklin & Marshall on Saturday is set for 3:00 p.m. and can be viewed live on the F&M website.