The McDaniel College men’s soccer team lost 4-2 to Swarthmore on Saturday at the Soccer Complex in Westminster, Maryland, in a Centennial Conference road match decided by two late goals from Swarthmore.
Swarthmore built a 2-0 lead before McDaniel rallied with goals from Charlie Olson and Eyuel Reta within about five minutes to tie the match. However, Len Yamabe scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute, and Joost Almekinders added a penalty-kick goal in the 89th minute to secure the victory for Swarthmore.
Swarthmore Answers McDaniel College’s Rally
Swarthmore held a two-goal lead until Olson converted a penalty kick in the 82nd minute. The goal was Olson’s second in three penalty-kick attempts this season. Olson, a senior, entered the match second on the McDaniel team with six goals. Reta tied the match in the 87th minute with his first goal of the season and his first since Sept. 25, 2024, when he scored in a 1-0 win at Gwynedd Mercy. First-year player Callen Kleinschmidt recorded his second assist and fourth point of the season on the play.
Yamabe scored just over a minute later to put Swarthmore back in front. It was his first goal of the season, the 17th of his career, and his sixth career game-winning goal. Almekinders completed the scoring with a penalty kick in the 89th minute. Joseph Marinello V and Noah Daniel scored Swarthmore’s first two goals, with Shlok Kaul assisting on Marinello’s goal.
McDaniel College Drops Third Straight Conference Match
Swarthmore held a 21-12 advantage in shots and an 11-3 edge in shots on goal. First-year goalkeeper Gavin Yartymyk made seven saves for McDaniel College. The match featured seven cards, including six issued to McDaniel College.
The loss was McDaniel College’s first in six home games this season and its first regular-season home loss since Sept. 30, 2025, ending a nine-game unbeaten streak. McDaniel entered the match unbeaten in its first seven games of the season but has now lost three consecutive Centennial Conference contests. The team allowed nine goals during the losing streak after surrendering five in its first seven contests.
McDaniel College fell to 6-3-1 overall and 1-3 in Centennial Conference play. Swarthmore improved to 3-6-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
McDaniel College Scheduled to Host Stevenson
McDaniel College was scheduled to host local rival Stevenson at the Soccer Complex on Tuesday at 4 p.m. to conclude nonconference play.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
McDaniel College erased a 2-0 deficit and tied the match late, but Swarthmore responded with two goals in the final three minutes. Yamabe’s goal turned a potential comeback point into McDaniel College’s third consecutive conference loss. The result also ended McDaniel College’s nine-game regular-season home unbeaten streak. The team’s next scheduled match against Stevenson offers its next opportunity to respond before conference play resumes.
Source: Original report
