Fourth-ranked Franklin & Marshall, 25th-ranked Johns Hopkins and Centennial Conference champion Washington College each posted victories in the first round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament on Saturday, while Swarthmore and Gettysburg saw their seasons come to a close with opening round defeats.
In Lancaster, Pa., F&M exploded for four goals in the second half to dominate SUNY Poly in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The Diplomats (15-3-1) advance to the second round against Middlebury, who emerged victorious with a dramatic 1-0 win in the later game. The two sides will meet at 3:00 pm on Sunday afternoon at Tylus Field. Five different players scored for F&M, with Dallen Moore scoring what would prove to be the game-winner in the 12th minute.
In University Heights, Ohio, Johns Hopkins fell behind early but rallied to beat 20th-ranked Penn State Harrisburg, 2-1. Nate Charendoff and Liam Creedon found the back of the net for the Blue Jays (12-4-2), with Creedon's 88th minute strike proving to be the difference. Hopkins will take on host John Carroll in Sunday's second round at 3:30 p.m.
In Montclair, N.J., Washington College won its first-ever NCAA Tournament game with a 2-0 triumph over St. Lawrence. The Maroon & White move ahead to the NCAA Round of 32 and will face the host Montclair State Red Hawks on Sunday at 5 p.m. James Strine and Greg Adams registered scores for the Shoremen.
In Medford, Mass., Swarthmore fell to Stevens 1-0 in a first round contest on the campus of Tufts. With the loss, the Garnet wrap up 2021 with an 11-5-2 record and their ninth NCAA appearance in program history. After an hour and forty minute weather delay, Jay Poskitt netted the game-winner for the Ducks in the 89th minute of play.
In Cortland, N.Y., Gettysburg dropped a 3-1 decision to Kean to conclude its season with a 13-6-2 record. The Bullets took an early lead off a goal from Aidan Muller in the 20th minute, but Kean scored in the 22nd, 28th and 88th minutes to claim the victory.