Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 34/1/26
From Press Release
The host Swarthmore College women’s lacrosse team endured an 89-minute weather delay and grinded out a 14-12 upset win over No. 23 Muhlenberg College in a thrilling Centennial Conference contest on Wednesday night at Clothier Field Stadium.
The teams traded momentum throughout the night and were tied at 12 with under four minutes remaining in regulation. Kate Fox (Strath Haven) scored on a free-position chance with 3:56 to go to put the Garnet in front before lightning moved into the area and stopped play with 2:18 left.
After an hour-plus wait, the teams resumed play and Annabel Stifler scored the dagger with 51 seconds on the clock to put away Swarthmore’s first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent in over a decade.
Brooke Carrier (Central) was spectacular in goal, making a career-high 19 saves to spark the triumph. She made numerous key stops throughout the contest, including several at point-blank range.
Aubree Daugherty led the Garnet offense with six points on four goals and two assists. Stifler potted four goals while Claire Long and Fox registered two goals and one assist each. Fox also collected four ground balls to go along with three caused turnovers. Stifler also caused three turnovers. Jamie Dwyer (Garnet Valley) added two draw controls.
HOW IT HAPPENED
– The Mules outshot the Garnet 8-3 in the opening quarter but Swarthmore connected on its only two shots on goal to stay within one (3-2) heading into the second. Stifler and Daugherty each scored their second marker back-to-back in the second as the Garnet took a 4-3 lead. Muhlenberg tallied consecutive goals to go back in front but Long beat the goalkeeper with just 40 seconds remaining to tie the score at five heading into halftime.
– The Mules controlled play to start the third and produced three of the first four goals in the period to take an 8-6 advantage. Swarthmore then went on a 5-0 run for the rest of the frame to go ahead 11-8 after 45 minutes. Daugherty scored twice while Stifler, Fox, and Zoe Crawford all recorded one goal.
– A physical battle resulted in six straight woman-up goals between the third and fourth quarters. The Mules netted the first three of the fourth to bring the contest to an 11-11 deadlock with 7:57 to go. Long found the back of the net at the 5:45 mark to push the Garnet ahead but Muhlenberg responded just 12 seconds later.
– The Mules took another costly yellow card with 3:56 left and Fox converted a free-position opportunity to give Swarthmore a 13-12 edge. Muhlenberg won the ensuing draw but turned it over on a crease violation just as the contest went into a lightning delay.
– When the teams resumed action, the Garnet had a successful clear. Daugherty looked for a centering pass to Stifler from down low. The ball hit a stick but still found its way to Stifler, who turned and fired past the goalkeeper to give Swarthmore a crucial two-goal advantage with 51 seconds remaining. The Mules won the ensuing draw but Fox forced a turnover and the Garnet were able to run out the clock.
