GETTYSBURG, Pa. - The No. 16 Swarthmore College men's soccer team opened its Centennial Conference schedule with a 2-1 victory at Gettysburg College on Saturday afternoon. The Garnet remained unbeaten on the season as they improved their record to 7-0-1. 

Len Yamabe continued his remarkable sophomore campaign with his conference-leading seventh goal of the season. The sophomore has scored in three-straight games with four goals in the previous two games. Tejas Sarna also found the back of the net for Swarthmore for his second goal in as many games.

Christian Bignotti led the Garnet defense with a season-high five saves. The senior captain helped the Garnet overcome a 15-9 shot disadvantage.

Swarthmore earned its first victory over the Bullets since 2021 after battling to a draw in its previous three meetings. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Sarna registered the game's first shot on goal in the 13th minute, but was turned away by the keeper. Moments later, Bignotti returned the favor with his first of two saves in the half. 

- Both teams registered two shots on goal in a scoreless opening half. The Bullets held a slim advantage in shots, 5-3, with a 5-1 nod in corner attempts. 

- The Garnet broke the scoreless tie in the 54th minute. Len Yamabe advanced the ball into the attacking zone with a pass to Toshiro Kenney, who beat a pair of defenders in pursuit of the ball. Kenney then played a pass to Sarna at the opposite side of the box. The senior fired a shot from the top of the box and beat the keeper to the opposite post for his second-straight game with a goal. 

- Shortly after Sarna's goal, the game entered a weather delay due to lightning in the area. The game remained in a delay for over an hour.

- Yamabe gave the Garnet a two-goal cushion with a crafty goal in the 72nd minute. The sophomore switched directions at the top of the box to beat a pair of defenders before delivering a strike past the keeper, 2-0. The unassisted score marked Yamabe's fourth goal of the week. 

- The Bullets cut their deficit in half with a goal in the 80th minute. Gettysburg was able to generate a pair of shots in the final 10 minutes, but were unable to create a quality look on goal as the Garnet defense buckled down and preserved a victory. 




GARNET LEADERS
Points: Sarna, Yamabe 2
Goals: Sarna, Yamabe 1
Assists: Kenney 1
Shots: Yamabe 4
Saves: Bignotti 5

UP NEXT
The Garnet (7-0-1, 1-0) return home against Franklin & Marshall, next Saturday.