SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Swarthmore College men's soccer team outlasted Penn State Abington behind two Toshiro Kenney goals to open the 2024 season on Friday night.

Kenney opened the scoring with a goal in the 25th minute. The junior then answered a Penn State Abington second-half equalizer with the game-winning tally in the 68th minute. Nate Kim recorded the lone Swarthmore assist as he collected a point on Kenney's first score. 

Christian Bignotti earned the victory in goal with three saves. The senior captain made his best save in the second half when he helped preserve a tie game with a deflection off a one-on-one opportunity. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Kenney opened the scoring for the Garnet with a go-ahead goal in the 25th minute. Kim deflected a pass off a Nittany Lion defender, which found the foot of Kenney, who ripped a rocket past the keeper.

- The Garnet defense limited traffic inside the box during the opening half. The Nittany Lions made a run at the net during the 39th minute, but had the opportunity squashed by Joost Almekinders, who poked the ball away from the attacker and cleared the threat. Kenney nearly connected on a one-time opportunity at the other end, but had his attempt saved. 

- Abington answered early in the second with an equalizer in the 50th minute. The Garnet then countered with chances from Len Yamabe and Anzel Zhen, but both shots were turned away by the keeper. Yamabe had another opportunity off a free kick in the 57th minute, but was denied on a quality save. 

- Bignotti preserved the tie with an incredible save on an Abington advantage. The Lions' attacker had a one-on-one look at Bignotti, but was turned away with a deflection. 

- Kenney delivered the game-winning strike with his second goal in the 68th minute. Jackson Haynes played the ball into the box from the other side of the field. Kenney then controlled the loose ball before juggling past a pair of defenders en route to the game-winning score. 




GARNET LEADERS
Points: Kenney 4
Goals: Kenney 2
Assists: Kim 1
Shots: Haynes, Kenney 3
Saves: Bignotti 3

UP NEXT
The Garnet (1-0) conclude opening weekend with Moravian College on Sunday.