SWARTHMORE, Pa. – Playing its first regular season game in 673 days, the Widener University field hockey team battled Swarthmore in its 2021 season opener on Thursday night, but ultimately fell to the Garnet 2-1.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Swarthmore struck first in the game's opening minutes off a penalty corner, but first year Pride goalkeeper Kylie Haberstroh came up with three saves in the period to hold the Garnet at bay and keep the score 1-0 entering the second. In period two, the Pride was granted its third penalty corner of the night with 2:46 remaining. After a blocked shot off the corner, Margaret Howe-Consiglio collected the rebound and found the back of the cage to send the score into halftime tied up at 1 a piece.
 
WU fended off the Garnet's attack for much of the third behind another pair of saves from Haberstroh, but Swarthmore scored in the period's waning minutes to regain a 2-1 advantage. The Pride got off four shots in the final period, but it wasn't enough as the Garnet held onto the lead and dealt Widener its first setback of the season.
 
UP NEXT
The Blue and Gold looks to bounce back as it returns to Dixon Field for its home opener against Delaware Valley on Saturday, September 4. Game time is scheduled for noon.