Box Score MADISON, N.J. – Breaking a 1-1 tie in the 56th minute, the Swarthmore College field hockey team (2-0) scored twice in a five-minute span to defeat Mercy College by a score of 3-1 on Sunday morning to earn the championship of the Drew Fall Festival.
Mercy (0-2) would strike first at the 3:53 minute mark as a bouncing shot slipped past the Garnet defense. Unshaken by the quick goal, Swarthmore put forth a streaming offensive effort, sending five shots at target before the sixth finally found the back of the net at 8:51. Anne Rosenblatt made her way through defenders into the middle of the circle and sent a laser shot into the left side of cage for the 1-1 tie and her first tally of the 2012 season.
The remainder of the frame was a scoring standstill, as neither team was able to find the goal. Swarthmore continued to earn numerous corner opportunities, with 17 in the first stanza and 30 in the game, but failed to connect.
The Garnet began the second half with three quick shots in an effort to break the tie, but Maverick goalkeeper Kristen Znaniecki cleared away all of the attempts. Finally, at the 56:40 mark, Julia Tallarico flicked a rebound from Aarti Rao high into the left corner of the cage to give the Garnet the 2-1 lead.
Rounding out the scoring, Catie Meador converted on a penalty stroke at 61:09 after Nia Jones was was fouled from behind on a partial break down the right side.
The Garnet dominated much of the play allowing the Mavericks just four shots for the game.
Swarthmore was named champion of the Drew Fall Festival thanks to goal differential, outscoring its opponents 5-1.
The Garnet will continue its season-opening four-game road trip with a visit to Richard Stockton on September 6 at 4:00 p.m.
