Todd Friedman | Phoenix Staff

Defender Caitlin Mullarkey angles for ball possession in the game against Moravian College, whom the women’s soccer team played two weeks ago. The team was unbeaten until their face-off against Eastern University.

BY JARED NOLAN

In print | September 18, 2008

Swarthmore Women’s Soccer lost its first match of the season in a 1-0 heart-breaker against Eastern University to fall to 3-1 overall, when Eastern Midfielder Allison Inch scored in overtime. The Eagles entered the match at 0-3 but that record is deceiving because they played tough opponents, including #1 Wheaton. The game was almost called off because rain had pounded the turf all day, but it let up just before kickoff, allowing the two teams to wage their hard-fought match.

The heated competition was not enough to dry the field, however, and the turf remained slick through the game. This condition led to a slippery game ball, unsure footing, and uncontrolled passes, and overall produced sloppy play. As a result players on both teams experienced difficulties connecting with each other and creating goal-scoring opportunities; defenders easily intercepted passes and foiled many attacks. Midfielder Elizabeth Mills ’11 also noted the “pace of the game was quicker.” “The team has to be more aware of how to pick up the pace when playing better opponents,” she said.

The Garnet’s best opportunity came early in the game when, in the third minute, a long throw from the corner made it into the box. Megan Colombo ’11 headed the ball but it hit the crossbar before harmlessly bouncing out of bounds. After an Eastern defender knocked out another throw deep in Eagle’s territory, Swarthmore had a chance to capitalize on a corner kick. The mob in front of the net could not find a way to knock it in, however, and the game remained tied at 0-0.

For most of the first half, Eastern maintained possession of the ball and kept play in Garnet’s side of the field. The pressure continued into the second half as Eastern won most of the loose balls. A Swarthmore fan was so frustrated with this pattern that she yelled, “C’mon girls, they’re beatin’ yah!” even though the score still remained tied. Garnet Head Coach Todd Anckaitis commented on the lack of possession and said the team has to “keep working on controlling the tempo of a game.” He was proud however that the players are already at that stage early in the season, and the “skill” and “maturity” are already there.

Despite having difficulty controlling the game, the Garnet still had chances, and one ended with an Eagle player fouling a Swat attacker. Eastern’s coach did not agree with the call and threw his clipboard asunder to emphasize his point. This action elicited much crowd response, especially when an assistant trotted over to retrieve it. Forwards on both teams were equally frustrated because neither team could finish its chances.

Swarthmore came close to a goal when a through ball made it over Eastern’s defensive line in the 60th minute. Garnet forward Emily Coleman ’12, step for step with an Eagle defender, chased down the pass but sent the shot wide right, failing to capitalize. Two more opportunities came on long free kicks by Sarah Reese ’11. In the 70th and 72nd minute Reese had chances from 35 and 45 yards respectively, but the Eastern goalie was able to corral both shots.

The most action the game had seen came in the last minute of regulation, when the Eastern keeper was pulled out of her net. Swarthmore was unable to score on the open goal and Eastern quickly implemented a counter-attack, but the last-second shot was saved by Swarthmore goalie Lauren Walker ’09, keeping the score tied at 0-0 and sending the match to golden goal overtime.

In the first ten-minute overtime period Garnet had one shot to the Eagle’s two, but neither team could finish. Eastern started with the ball in the second period and caught Garnet off guard. With a few passes the Eastern attackers were in Swarthmore’s box and had fired a shot at Walker. She made the initial save but Eastern first-year Midfielder Allison Inch collected the rebound and sent the ball into the back of the net, marking the first goal Swarthmore has allowed this season. Anckaitis did not attribute the loss to any one weakness, but to a “mental lapse.” “Eastern had a clear play from the kickoff, we got caught napping, and they executed it well,” he said.

The Garnet looks to rebound from this loss, but it will not be easy. The next four matches are all away, and two of them are against nationally ranked teams: #3 College of New Jersey and #15 Johns Hopkins. Anckaitis was not particularly worried, however, and expressed confidence in his team. “We respect everybody but fear nobody,” he said.

Swarthmore Midfielder Monica Cody ’10 added that “We’re getting better every year; we only lost two seniors from last year’s team.” Looking forward she said that the team is working out a few kinks for the upcoming games. “In practice we’ve changed the formation a little bit with the outside midfielders coming in,” she said. “If we control the tempo from the beginning and capitalize on our opportunities we will do well.”

The upcoming matches should also add valuable experience. Anckaitis noted, “If we reach our goals of postseason play, chances are we will be playing top teams on the road and the best way to prepare for that is to do it in the regular season.” The next few games will certainly test the Garnet’s mettle. The team returns to Swarthmore with a match against McDaniel on October 4th.

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