Mariners Can't Solve Swarthmore In NCAA Tournament

Swarthmore, Pa. — The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy soccer team lost a hard fought first round NCAA Division III Tournament game, 2-1 to Swarthmore College. The Mariners had many chances to tie the game or take the lead but were unable to capitalize on their chances. Senior Rusty Denson netted the Mariners only goal of the game in the losing effort.

The Mariners fall to 15-4 overall while Swarthmore improves to 15-2-2 overall and advances to the next round of the NCAA Tournament.

The first half had some excited action and two saves by each goalkeeper as the Garnets took a 2-1 halftime lead. One minute into the first half the Mariners put the pressure on fast as senior co-captain Kyle Kempinski headed the ball at the net from a corner kick but the Swarthmore keeper made a nice diving save. The Mariners continued the press as Denson gave the Mariners a 1-0 lead, just five minutes into the game. Hollis Irvine played the ball up the right side to Denson who then beat the Garnets goalkeeper (Zachary Weimar) one-on-one for the goal.

Denson had another opportunity about 10 minutes later as he played a cross in which the Weimar got a hand on the ball just as a Mariner forward got to the ball. Swarthmore would knot the game at 1-1 in the 30th minute of the game. Kieran Reichert took a direct kick from 50 yards out and played the ball to the far post. Gage Newman, who was waiting at the far post, headed the ball past a diving Gary Poulin for the goal. The score remained 1-1 until 4.6 left in the half as the Garnets took a 2-1 lead on a Mariners own goal.

The Mariners were able to hold the advantage in the first half in shots, 7-6 as well as corner kicks, 3-2.

In the second half, Casey Desiderio was the first to get things started as he fired a shot from 40 yards out with 43:02 remaining in the game. Weimar made a nice save that bounced off of his chest but no Mariners were there for the rebound. The Garnets had an opportunity 10 minutes later on another set play. Micah Rose took a direct kick from 25 yards out and Poulin made a full extension diving save to his left to keep it a one goal game.

With 27:50 left in the game, the Mariners gave the Swarthmore keeper a real scare but came up empty handed. Ryan Hadley placed a header towards the goal and Weimar made another diving save. Michael Dunn took the rebound from the save and punched another shot and Weimar was able to get back on his feet for the save and preserve the 2-1 lead. To many missed opportunities on the side of the Mariners as well as the own goal allowed Swarthmore to get the 2-1 victory over USMMA.

The Mariners goalkeeper, Poulin finished with three saves and his record falls to 14-4 overall. The Garnets goalkeeper, Weimar finished with seven saves and improved his record to 7-1-2.

We came out strong today and really took it right at a strong Swarthmore team," said Head Coach Michael Smolens. "We created a number of terrific chances early on and were rewarded when Rusty Denson had a calm finish off a beautiful service from Hollis Irvine. After evening the game on a set piece later in the first half, we were disappointed when we surrendered an own-goal just seconds before the half. We recovered well and had numerous chances in the 2nd half and were turned away by some excellent saves by the Swarthmore goalkeeper. Although we kept pressing, that elusive tying goal never came, and we ended up dropping a tough 2-1 decision."

"Coach Fitzgerald, Coach Sutton and I are extremely proud of this group," said Smolens. "After getting off to a 14-1 start, we hadn’t played such good soccer late in the season and entered the NCAA tournament dropping 2 of our last 3 matches. The guys worked hard in training this week and re-grouped. We played our best soccer in a long time against Swarthmore in a raucous environment and really had “them on their heels”. Although we didn’t get the result we wanted, we are very proud of all the team’s effort and performance all season, and all they have accomplished. Led by a fine group of seniors, this team truly established themselves as one of the most successful teams in the history of Kings Point soccer."

The Mariners conclude their 2009 season with an overall record of 15-4. During the season, USMMA tied a school record with a 14 game winning streak. The Mariners also made the NCAA Division III Tournament for the third time under Head Coach Michael Smolens.

Story provided by USMMA Sports Information