The Team

The men's soccer team at Swarthmore has a long tradition of success. Soccer began as a varsity sport at the College in 1914. The annual Swarthmore-Haverford match, first played in 1921, is the oldest continuous intercollegiate soccer rivalry among small colleges. Entering its 90th season, the Swarthmore teams have played over 900 intercollegiate soccer matches.

In the 89-year history of the program, the Garnet have had over 90 All-America selections, and have appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times. In 1974, Swarthmore played in the national championship match, falling to Brockport State 3-1 in the final. In 1990 and 1991, the Garnet returned to the tourney, reaching the tournament's second round in 1991. The College's most celebrated soccer coach, Bob Dunn, is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Hall of Fame. In 41 seasons at Swarthmore, Coach Dunn won 173 matches, the most in school history. The Garnet have also had several Regional All-Americans, Academic All-Americans, and all-conference selections.

In 1993 the Garnet became a charter member of the Centennial Conference, joining ranks with other top academic schools in the Middle Atlantic area. The Garnet's tough national schedule includes the traditionally strong programs at Gettysburg, Muhlenberg, and Johns Hopkins, as well as non-conference opponents from around the country, including St. Mary's College (Md.), Bridgewater College (Va.), and Savannah College of Art & Design (Ga.). This challenging competition assures the Swarthmore players exposure to the top level of college soccer.

The Swarthmore team includes players from all over the United States, as well as from several foreign countries each year. In 2003, the roster has student-athletes from 15 states and five foreign countries (Canada, Ivory Coast, Japan, Luxembourg, and Turkey). Combining the highest quality education from one of the country's top two small colleges and top level intercollegiate soccer, Swarthmore offers a superb opportunity to aspiring collegiate student-athletes.

2005 Season Preview