SWARTHMORE, Pa. – Celia Kanellakos netted the game-winning goal with just 1:45 remaining in regulation to give the Swarthmore College women's soccer team a 1-0 victory over No. 13 Washington & Lee University in a tight contest at Clothier Field Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It was the squad's first win versus a nationally-ranked opponent since the 2023 season.
 
It was a thrilling finish to a back-and-forth contest where the Garnet had a slim 17-14 edge in shots. Swarthmore placed nine shots on frame with the Generals generating six. Washington & Lee had its opportunities, earning six corner kicks, but could not beat Garnet keeper Dahlia Bedward who picked up her second straight shutout to begin the campaign. Bedward ended the game with a career-high six saves.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Generals had the better of play in the opening half, outshooting Swarthmore 8-6 with four corner kicks. Washington & Lee controlled the ball 53 percent of the time over the first 45 minutes. Bedward turned aside four shots in the period to keep the Generals off the board. The Garnet recorded six shots in the half but were also unable to find the back of the net.
 
- Swarthmore got off to a strong start in the second half. Lauren Lior had the best chance of the contest to that point when she rang a shot off the right post in the 48^th minute. The Garnet produced three more shots within the first 15 minutes of the frame but all were stopped by the goalkeeper.
 
- Washington & Lee thought it had the first goal of the match with under 26 minutes to play but it was ruled that the ball crossed the end line for a goal kick prior to finding its way into the back of the net, keeping the game scoreless.
 
- With time winding down, Swarthmore finally broke through to take the lead in the 89^th minute. Lior had the ball in the attacking end, just outside the top of the box. She dribbled to her left before sending a pass through the defense to a cutting Kanellakos behind the backline. Kanellakos controlled the ball and beat the goalie to the left side for her second goal of the season. The Generals were unable to come up with a shot in the closing seconds.

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GARNET LEADERS
Goals: Kanellakos 1
Assists: Lior 1
Shots: Kanellakos 6
Shots on Goal: Kanellakos 4
Saves: Bedward 6
 
UP NEXT
The Garnet (2-0) remain at home to take on Rutgers-Camden on Wednesday.