ST. DAVIDS, Pa.—The Swarthmore College men's soccer team fought back from a goal down to defeat Eastern University on the road in non-conference action on Wednesday. Junior midfielder Woojin Shin scored the equalizer with just over five minutes to play. Fellow junior Joe Barile notched his fourth in five matches to win it in the second overtime period for the Garnet.
After a scoreless first half, the Eagles took the lead in the 58th minute to knock Swarthmore back. A long ball into the right corner had the Garnet chasing, and the Eagles' Reginald Lloyd sent a cross back to the top of the penalty area for a brilliant first-time strike by Sam Sutherland. Swarthmore was caught napping defensively, and fell behind for just the second time this season.
The visiting Garnet soon regained control of the match, creating multiple chances but coming up short each time. Barile had two good opportunities to equalize, managing only to force comfortable saves from Eastern GK Anthony Hitchcock. In the 85th minute, sophomore defender Harry Nevins stepped through the midfield and clipped a lovely ball over the top onto the overlapping run of junior defender Michael Gross. Gross got the ball to the endline, found Shin for the easy tap-in, and the match was all even.
With just over two minutes to play in regulation, freshman striker Bless Tumushabe got in behind the Eastern defense and went alone to goal. Hitchcock challenged well and Tumushabe's touch was slightly too long. Hitchcock made the save to send the match to overtime.
In the overtime periods, Swarthmore dominated positionally, showed stronger fitness and experience and kept the hosts at bay. Gross had two great chances inside the Eastern area, but misfired on both shots. With just over two minutes to play, the Garnet earned a free kick on the right side of the Eastern defensive third. Shin's cross into the box was cleared by Eastern, but only as far as Barile, who lurked just outside the penalty area. Barile collected, took two touches to his right, and unleashed a rocket to the upper left corner of the goal for the instant winner.
It was the fourth of the season for Barile, his sixth career goal, and his second match-winner this year. Swarthmore moved to 5-0 with the victory, while Eastern fell to 2-3. Today's win avenged last year's heartbreaking OT loss to the Eagles at Clothier Field. Three of the past four meetings between the Garnet and the Eagles have been decided in overtime.
The Garnet next play against St. Mary's College of Maryland on Wednesday at Clothier Field. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
