SWARTHMORE, Pa. – Kela Watts scored at the 3:08 mark of the first overtime to give the Swarthmore College women's lacrosse team a season-opening 12-11 victory over Widener University on Saturday afternoon.
The Garnet did their best to put the Pride away during regulation time, but Widener erased two separate three-goal deficits to force the extra session. It was Swarthmore's third consecutive win against the Pride.
Isabela Bloomquist paced the Garnet offense with three goals and one assist.
Abigail Love (1G, 2A) and Watts (3G) tallied three points apiece while
Sophie Finkelstein hit the back of the net twice.
Claire Long collected team highs with five ground balls and four caused turnovers while also scoring her first collegiate goal.
Brooke Carrier earned the win in her first career start in goal while
Elizabeth Zack registered her 100th career draw control.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Swarthmore got out to a 3-0 lead in the opening nine minutes on goals by Love, Bloomquist, and Finkelstein. Widener got on the board with two consecutive tallies before Bloomquist closed the quarter with her second to give the Garnet a 4-2 advantage after one.
- The Pride scored the first two goals of the second period to even the score with 12:52 on the clock. However, Swarthmore bounced back for three in a row again to take a 7-4 lead with 5:44 remaining. Watts netted her first, Bloomquist beat the keeper for a third time, and
Zoe Crawford got on the scoresheet. Widener had the final marker of the stanza and trailed 7-5 at the break.
- The Pride started the second half strong with three unanswered goals in the first two minutes of play to take their first lead of the day, 8-7. Watts evened the score with her second before Widener ended the period with a goal at the 1:57 mark to take a 9-8 advantage into the fourth.
- The Garnet rallied for three in a row for the third time as goals by Finkelstein, Zack, and Long put Swarthmore back in front, 11-9, with 5:39 remaining. However, the Pride responded with back-to-back markers at 4:32 and 2:29 to tie it at 11. Both teams had a chance to score the go-ahead goal down the stretch but were unable to pull ahead. Zack had a free-position opportunity in the final seconds but was stymied by the Widener goalkeeper.
- In overtime, the Garnet won the opening draw but the goalie stopped Bloomquist's effort. The Pride went down the field but did not get a shot as
Mia Holland forced a turnover. On Swarthmore's second possession, Watts beat the possession and game clocks with her shot through tight coverage and sent in the game-winner just eight seconds before the teams were to change ends.
GARNET LEADERS
Points: Bloomquist 4
Goals: Bloomquist, Watts 3
Assists: Love 2
Shots: Bloomquist 9
Ground Balls: Long 5
Caused Turnovers: Long 4
Draw Controls:
Lillian Lewis, Zack 3
Saves: Carrier 1
UP NEXT
The Garnet (1-0) travel to Albright College on Wednesday.
