SWARTHMORE, Pa. – The Swarthmore College men's soccer team won its fourth straight game with a 2-1 victory over Widener University on Saturday.
 
Len Yamabe scored the game-winner with 6:49 to go in the contest. He passed to Kaito Hikino in the box then cut towards the net. Hikino fed a perfect pass through the defense to give Yamabe a clear shot at the cage and Yamabe did not miss. It was his third goal of the year.
 
The Garnet struck first in the 32^nd minute as Joost Almekinders notched his third of the season. However, the Pride answered just 29 seconds later. Swarthmore won the shot count, 13-11, and the Garnet allowed just three shots on target.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Widener produced early pressure on the Garnet, earning three corner kicks in a one-minute span. However, the Pride were unable to put a shot on frame. Swarthmore's first shot in the seventh minute was stopped by the goalkeeper and the next two missed high.
 
- In the 32^nd minute, Adrien Marcelli dribbled around a defender before sending a service into the box from 25 yards out. Almekinders extended into a full dive through the middle of the box, getting his head on the ball and putting it past the goalie for an impressive tally and a 1-0 Garnet advantage.
 
- The lead did not last long as Widener evened the score less than a minute later. Swarthmore had another shot on goal in the closing minutes of the first half but it was turned aside.
 
- The two sides traded chances throughout the second half but the game was still tied entering the final 10 minutes. In the 82^nd minute, the Pride were awarded a free kick just outside the box. The kick was sent on goal but Christian Bignotti dove to his right and came up with a crucial stop to keep the score level. Yamabe's winner came less than two minutes later. The Garnet defense did not allow a shot attempt over the last six-plus minutes to lock down the victory.
 
GARNET LEADERS
Goals: Almekinders, Yamabe 1
Assists: Marcelli, Hikino 1
Shots: Yamabe 4
Saves: Bignotti 2
 
UP NEXT
Swarthmore (5-0-1) wraps up a three-game homestand on Tuesday versus Wilkes University.