SWARTHMORE, Pa. (September 13, 2009) – For the second time in as many years, the Swarthmore College men's soccer team defeated Stevens Institute of Technology. After ending Stevens' 62-game home unbeaten streak in 2008, No. 11 Swarthmore handed the second-ranked Ducks their first loss of 2009 by a 1-0 final on Sunday afternoon at Clothier Field in Swarthmore, Pa. The Garnet got the game-winner in the 23rd minute from sophomore Roberto Contreras (Sugar Land, Texas).
The entire contest was back and forth and hotly contested, but Swarthmore was able to get the difference maker midway through the first half. The ball was crossed from left to right and deflected into the middle of the box. After several headers from both teams, sophomore David Sterngold (Muncy, Pa.) controlled and slipped to Contreras who was able to put his shot in the lower-right corner of the goal.
After the goal, Stevens quickly responded and was able to get the ball deep in the Swarthmore zone but could not capitalize on several set plays and corners.
The second half was similar to the first, as each team made several runs at the net but could not put one in. The Ducks' best chance came when senior Todd Sheridan (Galloway, N.J.) was able to gain control on the right side of the box about 20 yards out and ripped a shot that missed a little left of the goal.
In the final minutes, the Ducks (4-1) did all they could but the Swarthmore (4-0) defense would have none of it as Stevens was unable to get a clean look at the goal.
Swarthmore ended with an 11-10 edge in shots and an 8-4 advantage in corners. The Garnet committed 22 fouls compared to 11 for Stevens. Junior goalkeeper Zach Carr made three saves in the loss and (4-1) and his counterpart, sophomore David D'Annunzio (Piedmont, Calif.), made three saves in the win.
Stevens (4-1), which has played five games in 12 days to start the season, will now take a brief breather before visiting in-state rival The College of New Jersey on Wednesday, September 16 at 7 p.m. Stevens will then visit preseason No. 10 York College on Saturday, September 19.
