CHESTERTOWN, Md.—Swarthmore College Men's Lacrosse escaped Maryland with an overtime win Wednesday night against the Washington College Shoremen. Nathan Relich used a screen, rolled from behind the net and sank the game-winner with 3:28 to play in overtime to elevate the Garnet over the Shoremen 11-10.
With the win, Swarthmore improved to 4-3 in Centennial Conference play and took sole possession of fourth place. The Garnet host Haverford College on Saturday in the final regular season game of the year in what is a win-and-you're-in scenario. If the Garnet pull off the win on Saturday, it would be the school's first appearance in the Centennial Men's Lacrosse tournament.
Relich, now with 24 goals on the season, scored three times in the win, picking up his fifth hat trick. Matt Johnson, now tied with Relich for the team lead in goals, blasted four goals.
Cam Marsh posted a pair of goals to give him 23 on the year and assisted three scores for the five-point game. Dylan Rittenhouse and Will Black also scored a goal.
Swarthmore converted on two man-up chances and held off three Washington EMOs.
Swarthmore goalie Cole Fox recorded another double-digit save game, denying 13 shots on goal. His opposite, Ben Flood, stopped nine Swarthmore shots, including two in the final 10 seconds.
Midway through the second quarter, Swarthmore held a 4-2 lead, but Washington went on a 4-0 run. Relich and Johnson scored to even the score at 6-6, and then Swarthmore took what appeared to be a commanding lead, out-scoring Washington 4-1 over the next 15 minutes.
The Shoremen, however, scored with 4:20, 4:10 and 2:40 to go to even the game at 10-10.
Swarthmore won the opening faceoff of overtime and quickly called timeout. Relich restarted play out of the timeout from the right sideline, jogged behind the net almost to the left sideline and then circled back to the right. Johnston set a solid screen for him behind the net to create a little separation. Relich wrapped around the crease, turned and whipped home the game-winner into the lower right corner of the goal.
Swarthmore improved to 2-2 in overtime play this season.
The Garnet host Haverford on Saturday at 1 p.m. with the chance to lock up the fourth seed and the school's first appearance in the Centennial Conference postseason.
CORRECTION: A previous edition incorrectly mentioned five teams making the Centennial postseason. However, unlike other Centennial tournaments, only four teams make the men's lacrosse tournament.
