:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67012674/swarthmoresoccer.0.jpg)
One of the oldest college soccer programs in the country will not field teams this fall because of Covid-19.
Swarthmore College, which has had competitive soccer dating back to 1917, canceled all fall sports this week, which includes both the men’s and women’s soccer teams.
“Unfortunately, all of the measures we’re putting in place to keep our community members safe — strict physical distancing and masking policies, limits on the number of students returning to campus, severely restricted college travel, etc. — will prohibit our participation in intercollegiate athletic competition for fall sports,” Swarthmore President President Valerie Smith wrote in a message sent to the college community earlier this week. “Our coaches are developing meaningful and creative ways to engage with members of their teams during the course of the fall semester.”
The men’s team went on a magical run last season, advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament, which they hosted at Clothier Field. They finished with an 11-4-5 record. The women’s team posted a 13-6 mark and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.
Swarthmore joins TCNJ and Lehigh Carbon Community College as area colleges that have canceled soccer and other sports for the fall due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.