Box Score SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The No. 19 Swarthmore College men's soccer team fell to Johns Hopkins University, 2-1, in a hard-fought battle of Centennial Conference heavyweights on Saturday night. 

The Garnet found themselves in an early two-goal hole after the Blue Jays added scores in the 11th and 14th minutes. Swarthmore turned up the intensity in the second half with a penalty-kick goal from Adrien Marcelli in the 49th minute. Swarthmore outplayed the Blue Jays in the second half with a 12-6 shot advantage, but were unable to add on the equalizer. 

Christian Bignotti was outstanding for the Garnet with four saves in a full 90-minutes of action. Outside of his two early blemishes, the senior kept his team in the game with several big-time saves from a talented Blue Jays offense. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Hopkins quickly flipped the game in its favor with a pair of scores in the 11th and 14th minutes. The Blue Jays scored both goals inside the box with assists from the far side of the field, 2-0. 

- Marcelli challenged the keeper with a shot on goal in the 16th minute. The junior played a shot below the crossbar, which was punched out of play by Hopkins' keeper. Joost Almekinders then had his shot blocked off the ensuing corner attempt. 

- Marcelli captured some momentum for the Garnet with a penalty-kick goal in the 49th minute. The junior beat the keeper to the top-right post for his sixth goal of the season. Almekinders drew the penalty kick for Swarthmore after he was dragged down in the box by a Hopkins defender. 

- Bignotti was challenged with a difficult save in the 51st minute to keep the team's deficit at one goal. The senior captain was then called upon to make another diving save in the 60th minute. 

- Later in the 60th minute, Marcelli broke free with a beautiful centering touch from Kaito Hikino. The junior got behind the defense, but was unable to beat the keeper for the tying score.

- Almekinders nearly found the back of the net in the 78th minute after an excellent feed from Marcelli. The sophomore fired a rocket at the top-left corner of the net, but had the shot deflected out of play by a leaping attempt from the keeper. Jackson Haynes then connected on a header off the ensuing corner kick, but had his attempt said wide. 

GARNET LEADERS
Points: Marcelli 2
Goals: Marcelli 1
Shots: Almekinders 4
Saves: Bignotti 4

UP NEXT
The Garnet (7-3-1, 1-3) wrap up their non-conference schedule at Eastern University on Wednesday.