Box Score

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – The Gettysburg College men's soccer team's defense held firm for 61 minutes against Swarthmore College on Saturday night, but the visiting Garnet finally cracked the scoring column in the 62nd minute and kept the heat on en route to a 3-0 Centennial Conference victory at Clark Field.

Swarthmore (8-2-1, 3-1-0 CC) has been ranked in the national polls throughout the 2008 season and entered Saturday's match against Gettysburg (4-4-3, 2-2-0 CC) as the No. 5 team in the latest Mid-Atlantic Regional poll. The Garnet started strong with a shot on goal by Micah Rose in the fifth minute, but Bullet goalie Jeff Greenlaw (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) was up to the task with his only first-half save.

In the 18th minute, Gettysburg produced what would turn out to be its best scoring opportunity of the match when freshman Ted McCarthy (Long Meadow, Mass./Loomis Chaffee) corralled a loose ball on the right side of the box and appeared to have an open look at the goal. Garnet keeper Jason Thrope, making his first career start between the pipes, came sliding out and managed to knock McCarthy's attempt away for his only first-half save. At the end of 45 minutes, the two teams remained scoreless despite a 6-3 shot advantage by the visitors.

The second half turned into a physical battle as the squads combined for 27 fouls and five yellow cards. The physical play eventually wore on Gettysburg and Swarthmore was able to capitalize 16 minutes into the stanza as a corner kick led to a header by Yoi Tibbetts at 61:51. Just under five minutes later, Ladule Lako Lo Sarah picked up his second assist of the match on a pass to Dylan Langley who beat Greenlaw to his left.

Swarthmore added to their lead in the 80th minute when David Sterngold dribbled around two defenders and touched the ball past Greenlaw just inside the left post.

The Garnet doubled Gettysburg's shot total for the match (16-8) and forced twice as many corner kicks (6-3). Dylan Langley accounted for four shots, while Sterngold took three. Thrope made a pair of saves en route to his first career victory and shutout.

Senior Chris Bayon (Langhorne, Pa./Lawrenceville School (N.J.)) and junior Frank Spada (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Chestnut Hill Academy) combined for half of the Bullets' shot total, while Greenlaw made a trio of saves.

Gettysburg will aim to jump back on the winning track when it entertains Haverford College for a conference match on Wednesday, Oct. 8, under the lights at Clark at 7 p.m.