WESTMINSTER, MD - The No. 18 Swarthmore College field hockey team overpowered McDaniel College with a 2-0 triumph on Saturday afternoon.
Josie Sarno and the Garnet defense recorded their conference-leading seventh shutout of the season.
Libby Castle provided the Garnet with all the offense they needed, scoring twice in the opening half. The rookie leads the team with six goals this season, currently ranking ninth in the Centennial Conference.
Sarno stopped her lone save attempt to record her seventh shutout of the season. The rookie has blanked her opponents in four of the last five games.
Swarthmore dominated the matchup with a 24-1 shot advantage and an 8-2 edge on penalty corners.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Swarthmore held a 5-0 shot advantage in the opening stanza. Gabriella Vasquez and Anna Schwartz tested the opposition with early shots on goal, while Castle eventually put one through in the eighth minute. Schwartz had her initial shot saved, which was then recovered and finished by Castle in front of the cage.
- Castle struck again in the 18th minute to give her team a two-goal advantage. The first-year had her initial shot saved, but battled through heavy traffic to drive home a loose ball. McDaniel put one shot on goal in the period, but Sarno deflected the attempt away with a kick save. Swarthmore had four shots on goal in the quarter, while the Green Terror registered their only on-target attempt of the afternoon.
- The Garnet outshot the Green Terror 7-0 in both of the final quarters. McDaniel earned two corner attempts in the half, but were unable to generate any offense. Swarthmore tested the opposing goalie with eight shots on goal, but were unable to add to its lead. The Garnet possessed the ball for the majority of the half as they drained down the clock.
GARNET LEADERS
Goals: Castle 2
Shots: Bloom, Castle 4
Saves: Sarno 1
UP NEXT
The Garnet (10-4, 6-1) return to action versus Washington College on Saturday. Swarthmore currently sits in first place in the Centennial standings with three games remaining.
