LANGHORNE, PA- On an abnormally steamy October afternoon, the blazing hot Highlanders put their 5 game winning streak on the line in a compelling non-conference matchup against Division III powerhouse, Swarthmore College.

FIRST HALF

The storyline early consisted of Swarthmore pushing their up tempo attack on the Highlanders back line, attempting to overwhelm the Highlanders and gain an early lead.  However, the Highlanders held firm, with Grant Grogan picking up a crucial save diving to his left side in the 6th minute to keep the score knotted 0-0. While the Garnet fired a couple early shots, the Highlanders made the most of their first chance of the afternoon, cashing in during the 16th minute when Josh Goodyear launched a dangerous throw in into the box. Goodyear's throw found the head of Tyler Smith who nodded the ball into the path of Matt Smith who tallied his first goal of the season with ease to give the Highlanders the lead.  With an early lead, the Highlanders and Coach Gibson stayed true to their excellent game plan, keeping their shape, while allowing Swarthmore to possess, and pouncing on the counter with the trio of fleet-footed attackers Brendan Keller, Brandon Hasko, and Joey Weaver.  Just twelve minutes later, the Highlanders patience would pay off as Keller slipped through the Garnet back line, cut back, and forced the Swarthmore defense to commit a foul inside the box, giving the Highlanders a penalty kick and a chance to extend the lead. Junior Brett Kikendall serenely stepped up to take the penalty, showing his equanimity and drilling his attempt past Swarthmore GK Oliver Steinglass with barely a blip of his pulse.  With Swarthmore pressing to get back in the game, the Cairn attack almost extended their lead in the 42nd minute, when Issac Morrison got a handle on a Kikendall corner kick, firing a blistering shot that forced Steinglass to make a desperation save to keep the Garnet deficit at 2-0, a score the Highlanders would confidently take into the intermission.

SECOND HALF

Missing the services of stalwart forward Paul Franco due to injury, the Highlanders young midfield led by Josiah Nistorenko continued to do an excellent job of keeping possession, utilizing crisp passes and solid through balls to keep the Garnet back line off balance.  However, Swarthmore used their experience and tenacity to their advantage, notching their first goal of the contest in the 47th minute when forward Yuheng Wang slotted his attempt past Grogan to bring the deficit to one. The Garnet fed off this momentum, catching the Highlanders off guard when Zach Viscusi fired a blistering shot through the defense to tie the game at 2-2 in the 60th minute. Despite momentum seemingly swinging toward the Garnet, the Highlanders never panicked. With a team led by upperclassmen, and augmented by preternaturally composed underclassmen, the Highlanders battled back and pressed forward, not complacent with a tie.  With time rapidly winding down, the Highlanders dynamic duo of Joey Weaver and Brendan Keller linked up in the 85^th minute as Weaver pounced on a wayward touch from Swarthmore's center back, flicking a pass into the center of the pitch to a streaking Keller. Keller gathered, took three touches, and expertly fired his shot past Steinglass to add another dramatic game-winning goal to his ever-increasing rap sheet.

WRAP UP

After an uneven start to the season, the Highlanders have met every challenge thrown their way over the last three weeks, and are improving every match with their latest exploit a victory over a truly impressive Swarthmore College.  With the win, the Highlanders increased their already excellent streak to 6 games, while upping their record to 7-3-1 in the process. The Highlanders will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Chambersburg, PA to continue CSAC play against the Phoenix of Wilson College.  Kickoff is slated for 2:30 PM.