Swarthmore College Athletics

SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The No. 24 Swarthmore College field hockey team opened its Centennial Conference schedule with a 2-0 shutout over Muhlenberg College on a rainy Saturday morning. Josie Sarno recorded her third clean sheet of the season as the Garnet defense held the Mules at a 24-3 shot disadvantage. 

Julia Powell and Gabriella Vasquez provided the scoring in a lopsided offensive showing. Powell scored the deciding goal in the 16th minute, while her fellow senior added on with an insurance goal in the 35th minute. 

Swarthmore totaled 14 shots on goal, while allowing just one Muhlenberg shot to reach the cage. The Garnet also held a 17-1 edge on penalty corners, converting both of their goals on corner attempts. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Swarthmore attempted both shots in an opening quarter that was heavily titled towards the Garnet attack. Both teams battled to get a feel for the wet conditions as the home team generated two shots and a pair of corner attempts. 

- The Garnet cashed in on a corner attempt in the first minute of the second period. Powell took the corner for the Garnet, and ended up tipping home the go-ahead strike from Vasquez. The Garnet had seven other shots in the stanza, but the Mules defense was able to limit the damage. 

- Vasquez added on with an insurance goal in the 35th minute. After attempting the first four shots of the period, Vasquez found the back of the cage off an assist from Sophie Wilchek. Powell got things going for the Garnet as she kickstarted the successful corner. Swarthmore dominated the quarter with an 11-0 shot advantage, forcing the Mules keeper to make six saves. 

- The Garnet generated a couple more chances in the fourth quarter, but did an excellent job of holding off the Mules attack. Muhlenberg registered a couple shots and a corner in the period, but had their best attempt saved by Sarno. 


GARNET LEADERS
Points: Vasquez 3
Goals: Vasquez, Powell 1
Assists: Vasquez, Wilchek 1
Shots: Wilchek 8
Saves: Sarno 1

UP NEXT
The Garnet (5-3, 1-0) return to action against Ursinus College on Wednesday.