SWARTHMORE, Pa. – The Swarthmore College field hockey team rallied in the second half to defeat No. 19 The College of New Jersey, 2-1, at Clothier Field Stadium on Wednesday.
It was the Garnet's second consecutive victory over a nationally-ranked opponent after downing No. 8 Stevens, 1-0, on Saturday. Swarthmore upped its overall win streak to three after dropping the opening two games of the campaign.
The Lions took a 1-0 lead in the first quarter and held the edge until midway through the third when
Annika Hoyer recorded the equalizer for the Garnet. Just over three minutes into the fourth, Hoyer set up
Libby Castle for the go-ahead goal and Swarthmore withstood six TCNJ shots in the period to make it hold up.
Josie Sarno tied her season high with 10 saves in the cage.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Garnet earned two penalty corners in the first quarter but managed just one shot, putting it wide. The Lions struck in the 13
th minute off a rebound. Sarno was able to stop the initial offering but a second-chance shot found its way into the cage. The TCNJ goalkeeper kept Swarthmore off the board in the second, stopping a pair of shots to maintain a one-goal advantage at halftime.
- The Garnet broke through and tied the game with 6:19 to go in the third quarter.
Magdelana Jordan intercepted a Lions' clearing attempt, dribbled to the top of the scoring area, and blasted a shot towards the cage. Hoyer made a lunging effort to tip the ball past the goalkeeper and even the score at one.
- Hoyer had a prime opportunity to put Swarthmore in front after the Garnet were awarded a penalty stroke in the 43
rd minute. However, the TCNJ goalie made an impressive diving stop to her right to keep the teams deadlocked.
- The Lions pressured the Swarthmore defense in the opening minutes of the fourth, earning three penalty corners and registering three shots, but Sarno stood tall. The Garnet powered forward and netted the go-ahead tally with 11:51 remaining. Hoyer dribbled down the right side before cutting towards the goal just shy of the end line. The sophomore muscled the ball through a defender, forcing the goalkeeper to come out of her cage and challenge. Castle snuck behind the defense and was wide open on the doorstep, depositing Hoyer's pass into the vacated cage for a 2-1 lead. Sarno turned aside two more shots down the stretch to help Swarthmore hold on for the victory.
GARNET LEADERS
Goals: Hoyer, Castle 1
Assists: Jordan, Hoyer 1
Shots: Jordan, Hoyer 3
Saves: Sarno 10
UP NEXT
The Garnet (3-2) visit Widener University on Saturday.
