Women's Soccer Falls to Swarthmore, 5-2, in NCAA First Round

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Swarthmore, PA| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's soccer team's season came to an end on Saturday evening, as it fell to the No. 10 ranked Swarthmore College in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Clothier Field. The Golden Eagles conclude their season with a 9-10-2 record as the Garnet (17-2-1) will advance to the second round of the tournament.

The Golden Eagles attacked the ball early in the game, as Chelsea Bellini opened up the scoring in the third minute when she capitalized on a misplay which led to the breakaway goal. The Garnet gained possession after the goal, as it generated four shots in four minutes.

Swarthmore continued to pressure the defense and an SJC foul proved costly as Hannah Lichtenstein was awarded a penalty kick to net the equalizer in the 12th minute. SJC keeper Katie McGarrell continued to be tested late in the half, as she was forced to make five saves to keep the game at a 1-1 tie.

The Golden Eagles created opportunities for themselves early in the second half, as Kristin Carroll shot the ball just wide of the goal in the 47th minute. But it was Swarthmore who would break the deadlock, as Marin McCoy, the Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year, made her mark in the 61st minute when she fired the ball into the back of the net just outside the box to put her side up 2-1. The Garnet maintained momentum and capitalized on another scoring opportunity when Katie Dougherty came streaking down the box to increase the lead 3-1 in the 65th.

Swarthmore continued to push and Miranda Saldivar added to the goal total in the 67th minute when she curved a shot upper-90. The Golden Eagles would find themselves down 4-1 late in the game.

The Garnet tallied its last marker of the evening in the 74th minute, when Mele Johnson sent a through ball to Clair O'Brein who one-touched past McGarrell to give Swarthmore a commanding 5-1 lead.

Carroll would bury a cosolation goal in the 79th minute, when she dribbled into the box to beat the defense to give St. Joseph's its second goal. The Golden Eagles pushed numbers up in the last 11 minutes of actions, but could not find another opportunity to score, and their their historic run with end with a 5-2 loss.

For Swarthmore, it was the first time the Garnet allowed two goals in regulation play this season. 

Head Coach Nic DeZenzo had positive things to say about the year stating that: "The girls played an excellent game. They gave it all on the field and then some. We as a program, and a school, are really proud of what they did tonight and all season. We came together three months ago and set very high goals, and are beyond happy to say that not only that did we reach every goal but the team had an historic run as well."