SWARTHMORE, Pa.–A strong defensive effort and timely shootout goals propelled the Swarthmore College field hockey team (2-1) to a thrilling, 1-0 victory over the Stockton Ospreys on Wednesday, Sept. 6. The game, which was marked by a consistent downpour, was the Garnet's home opener for the 2017 season.

Clare Perez and Sophie Peipher netted shootout goals for the hosts and Zelda Bank stopped four of five shots during penalty strokes to go with her 11 saves on the afternoon. Coincidentally, Swarthmore's last shootout victory came against Stockton, formerly Richard Stockton, on Sep. 8, 2010 when the Garnet prevailed by a 2-1 count.

On Wednesday, Ali Baratta and Kathleen Carmichael each finished with three shots on goal as Riya Garg recorded two.

Both teams were tested early in the first half, but defensive pressure resulted in a lack of clean looks at goal. Swarthmore's best opportunity came in the 30th minute on a penalty stroke, but the hosts were denied by a diving save from Stockton's Emily Sorochynskyj.

The game remained scoreless at the half with Swarthmore holding a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Ospreys reversed some of the momentum with consecutive shots in the early part of the second half, but Bank was unbeatable between the pipes. With the game still deadlocked and winding down, Bank made two more denials, including an impressive high glove save to poke the ball over the net. Stockton earned a corner with no time remaining, but were unable to net the game winner and overtime began.

With the rain pounding down, fatigue set in and neither team could convert on their offensive opportunities. As the shootout loomed closer, Swarthmore had two successive corners, but could not find a clean shot as time expired.

In the shootout, the first six attempts were unsuccessful before Peipher broke the drought with a nice rip to the far post from a difficult angle. Sarah Gawrysiak responded to keep the Ospreys alive and Perez forced the issue with another skilled conversion. Stockton could not answer and the Garnet picked up a hard-earned victory after a grueling afternoon of competition.

Swarthmore remains at home for a non-conference game against Immaculata on Saturday, Sep. 9 at 12 p.m.