Karen Thomas' Late Goal Lifts Women's Soccer to 1-0 Win over Swarthmore

(box score)

Karen Thomas (Mullica Hill, NJ) scored off a rebound in the 80th minute and fellow senior Valarie Perretti (Clayton, NJ) again was clutch against Swarthmore in a 1-0 victory at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.

Swarthmore (2-1) controlled most of the contest and looked poised to get the upper hand, but it was Widener (1-0-1) who got on the board. Junior Jenna Pedrick (Sicklerville, NJ) crossed one from the right side that was misplayed by goalkeeper Reba Magier and Thomas was right there to pounce on the rebound for her 12th career goal.

Perretti made it stand up with a career-best 16 saves, one year after amassing 11 in a road victory at Swarthmore. The 16th save came off a point-blank shot from number 16 Megan Brock roughly 12 yards out that she easily corralled.

Thomas and senior Kelly Buckley (Villanova, PA) each played solidly up front with two shots apiece. The defense came through thanks to big plays from junior Stephanie Dickinson (Sicklerville, NJ) and a huge clear from sophomore Brae McQuade (Princeton Junction, NJ) late in the match.

Brock took eight shots, McCleary Philbin had five and Magier made three saves for the Garnet.

It is the third time in four seasons the Pride upended the Garnet.

The contest was the first in this year's "320 Challenge," the annual series which pits the schools in their 19 shared sports. The schools have split the first four series.

Widener hits the road Saturday to visit Washington (MD), beginning at 4:00 pm.

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