HAVERFORD, Pa. – Veronica Gibbons scored both goals for the Garnet for the second game in a row as the No. 21 Swarthmore College women's soccer team closed the regular season with a 2-0 victory at Haverford College on Saturday afternoon.
 
Despite the score, it was a tightly contested contest with the Fords holding slim advantages in shots (13-12) and shots on goal (6-4). However, the Garnet dominated the corner kick opportunities by a 7-1 count. Gibbons' tallies came in the opening minute and in the final three minutes of the game. Lila Travers recorded six saves for her fourth shutout.
 
The win vaulted Swarthmore into a tie for first place in the Centennial standings with Johns Hopkins University as both squads totaled 25 points. The conference's tie-breaking criteria failed to break the deadlock, forcing a coin flip to determine the number one seed for the conference tournament. The Garnet came out the winner and will host the lowest remaining seed in a semifinal game on Friday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Gibbons needed just 37 seconds to give Swarthmore a 1-0 lead. She pounced on a loose ball in the box and got just enough on the shot to beat the goalkeeper to the right side.
 
- Haverford had a 7-6 edge in shots in the first half and had a prime opportunity on a free kick in the 34^th minute. The kick was sent into the box and a Fords' attacker was able to head it towards the cage but Travers was there to make the stop. Haverford got off a tough angle shot three minutes and Travers was able to snuff out the chance again.
 
- In the second half, Travers came up with another big save in the 65^th minute. The Fords were able to slip a pass behind the Garnet defense, creating a one-on-one opportunity. However, Travers made a point-blank save and the follow-up shot was pushed wide.
 
- Gibbons finally gave Swarthmore insurance in the 88^th minute after the Garnet took three straight corner kicks. On the final corner, Gibbons got her head on the ball but it went off the crossbar. Gibbons was able to follow up and knock the ball into the net for a 2-0 advantage.
 
GARNET LEADERS
Goals: Gibbons 2
Shots: Ava Gizzie, Gibbons 3
Shots on Goal: Gibbons 2
Saves: Travers 6
 
UP NEXT
Swarthmore (12-2-2) will keep tabs on Tuesday's Centennial First Round action and await its opponent for Friday's semifinal contest.