SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Swarthmore College women's lacrosse team suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of No. 22 Christopher Newport University, 12-10, on Sunday afternoon. The Garnet had won 24-straight non-conference matchups and had not suffered a loss outside of the Centennial Conference since 2022.
The Garnet paced the Captains in the opening half behind an outstanding defensive effort. Swarthmore outscored the visitors 7-5 in the half, while limiting scoring chances for the Captains nationally-ranked attack. However, Christopher Newport flipped the script in the remaining quarters with a 7-3 advantage.
Aubree Daugherty and Sophie Finkelstein both tallied five points to lead Swarthmore's attack. Daugherty netted four goals with one assist, while Finkelstein collected two goals with three assists. Daugherty capped off a stellar week with 10 goals over a two-game span.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Garnet jumped ahead early with opening scores from Finkelstein. Isabela Bloomquist assisted the opening tally at 13:37, while Daugherty contributed an assist on Finkelstein's second score. The Captains countered with their first tally off a free position with 10:15 left, but Elizabeth Zack responded with a bounce shot through the five-hole to rebuild Swarthmore's two-goal cushion. Christopher Newport traded a pair of scores with the Garnet to maintain pace, but Daugherty countered both goals with unassisted scores to preserve the team's lead, 5-3.
- Annabel Stifler netted the first score of the second quarter. The junior made a nice reception off a pass from Finkelstein, and then fired a strike past the goalie while absorbing contact. After the Captains got the goal back, Daugherty completed her hat trick off an assist from Finkelstein. After a remarkable and lengthy defensive stand from the Garnet, Christopher Newport ended a 10-minute scoring drought with its fifth score. The Garnet carried a two-goal advantage into halftime behind a stellar defensive effort, 7-5.
- Christopher Newport opened the second half with a powerplay goal after the Garnet were unable to kill off consecutive penalties. The Captains then tied the game with its third-straight score with 9:28 left. After a couple defensive stands, Zack regained the lead for Swarthmore off a free position with 6:42 remaining in the third, but the Captains countered with an equalizer in the same minute. Christopher Newport eventually took its first lead with a go-ahead score at the 5:31 mark. However, Swarthmore answered back as Bloomquist knotted the game up before the third intermission, 9-9.
- Early in the fourth quarter, Christopher Newport caught a break as they batted a loose ball into the back of the net for the go-ahead score. The Captains then added an insurance tally on a powerplay goal, before recording another score to pull ahead by three. Daugherty got the Garnet back on track with a much-needed goal as the possession clock expired with 5:59 left. However, both teams were kept off the board in the remaining minutes of play.
GARNET LEADERS
Points: Daugherty, Finkelstein 5
Goals: Daugherty 4
Assists: Finkelstein 3
Shots: Daugherty 6
Ground Balls: Will 3
Caused Turnovers: Morris 2
Draw Controls: Zack 2
Saves: Carrier 5
UP NEXT
The Garnet (5-1) travel to Immaculata University on Wednesday.
