SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Joost Almekinders scored four goals to lead the Swarthmore College men's soccer team to a dominant 7-2 victory over Haverford College in the season finale on Saturday.
Almekinders had a break-out performance with nine points to close his sophomore season. Almekinders, who entered the game with three career goals, totaled four scores and an assist to end the season with 16 points.
Len Yamabe also put an exclamation point on an incredible second-year campaign. The sophomore registered six points on two goals and two assists. He ends the year with a team-high 11 goals and four assists.
Joseph Eyiolowope was responsible for Swarthmore's other tally with a strike in the 11th minute. The junior was credited with three points on one goal and an assist.
At halftime of today's match, the men's soccer team honored seniors
Ethan Ernst,
Christian Bignotti,
Tejas Sarna,
Noah Pearlman,
Stathis Kalathias and Dean Chong for their dedication and contributions to the program.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Almekinders netted his opening tally in the 10th minute. Following a corner kick, Yamabe placed a perfect header to Almekinders, who buried his attempt for the opening score. Jackson Hayes was also credited with an assist on the play.
- The Garnet kept adding on with another tally just 30-seconds later. Kalathias navigated through traffic before finding the foot of Marcelli, who touched the ball to Eyiolowope for the team's second score.
- Swarthmore continued to pile on with another Almekinders goal in the 14th minute. The sophomore touched the ball past the keeper after the team's corner attempt deflected off traffic in the box.
- Yamabe scored the first of his two goals in the 21st minute. Yamabe beat a pair of defenders at the top of the box before striking the ball past the keeper for Swarthmore's fourth-unanswered tally. Marcelli and Eyiolowope were credited with assists on the score.
- Almekinders completed his hat trick in the 28th minute. Yamabe took a free kick from outside the box and connected with the head of Almekinders to give Swarthmore a 5-0 lead. Haverford ended their scoring drought with a much-needed tally in the 30th minute. The Garnet took a 5-1 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
- Yamabe opened the second half scoring with a goal in the 49th minute. Almekinders led the sophomore with a pass to the center of the box. Yamabe then finished with a strike to beat the keeper, 6-1.
- Haverford answered with a goal in the 65th minute, but could not keep the Garnet off the scoreboard. Almekinders decided to add one extra goal to his total with a tally in the 72nd minute. The sophomore collected his own rebound before beating the Fords keeper one final time.
GARNET LEADERS
Points: Almekinders 9
Goals: Almekinders 4
Assists: Marcelli, Yamabe 2
Shots: Almekinders 5
Saves: Bignotti, Aboudara 1
