SWARTHMORE, Pa. – The Swarthmore College men's soccer team had its season come to an end on Tuesday night with a 4-2 defeat to Muhlenberg College in the first round of the Centennial Conference Tournament.
The Garnet earned the third seed after going 5-3-1 in conference play, making their first trip to the postseason since 2023. Swarthmore finishes the campaign with a 7-8-3 overall record.
The Mules had a 12-5 edge in shots in the first half and got out to a 3-1 lead. The Garnet had the better of play in the second period, owning a 19-8 advantage in shots, but they could not erase the two-goal deficit. Swarthmore was able to get within one in the 60
th minute but Muhlenberg restored a two-goal cushion in the 76
th minute.
JohnPaul D'Andrea found the back of the net to close a stretch in which he tallied nine goals over the last seven contests to finish as the team's leading goal-scorer.
Joseph Marinello V also scored for the Garnet.
Joost Almekinders notched a pair of assists to crack the program's all-time top-10 list in the category. The senior wrapped up the year with a team-high 22 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Muhlenberg opened the scoring less than five minutes into the contest, heading in a throw at the right post. However, Swarthmore needed just two minutes to respond as Almekinders connected with D'Andrea. D'Andrea shot from the right side of the box and it deflected off a defender on its way into the cage.
- The Mules regained the lead in the 23
rd minute, finding the back of the net in nearly the exact same fashion as their first tally. They upped their advantage to two in the 28
th minute by heading in yet another throw, this time at the left post.
Colin Crowe kept the score 3-1 with a leaping save in the 31
st minute.
- In the second half, the Garnet were awarded a free kick just outside the box in the 55
th minute.
Len Yamabe took the shot that looked to have eyes towards the net but the Muhlenberg keeper made a diving stop to keep it a 3-1 game.
- Swarthmore did cut the deficit to one minutes later.
Shlok Kaul played the ball ahead to Almekinders, who sent a cross from the right side to the netfront. Marinello V was able to corral the pass and fire it in to make it 3-2 in the 60
th minute.
- Crowe made another key save in the 67
th minute, punching away an offering just under the crossbar. However, the Mules were able to gather insurance in the 76
th minute with a header off a corner kick. The Garnet continued to fight but were unable to get back in the game down the stretch.
GARNET LEADERS
Goals: D'Andrea, Marinello V 1
Assists: Almekinders 2
Shots: Almekinders 6
Saves: Crowe 5
