Sept. 7, 2001

Stats

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette men's soccer team opened the Puma Lafayette Soccer Classic with a 2-0 win over Penn on Friday night at Metzgar Fields.

Senior Mike Saioni (Cold Spring, N.J./Wildwood Catholic) headed in the Leopards' first goal of the game and the eventual game-winner at 38:30. Saioni received a touch pass from Matt Battiste (Niscayuna, N.Y./Niscayuna) who flicked a Keith Evans (La Plata, Md./La Plata) serve to Saioni for his first goal of the season.

It was an emotional night for Saioni whose father Salvatore passed away in January. Salvatore, who was considered a true Lafayette soccer fan and supporter, was remembered with a moment of silence before the kickoff. This season, the Leopards will wear black bands on their uniforms in his honor.

The Leopards' tenacious defense held Penn in check for the remainder of the game. Sophomore keeper Jay Freedman (Dix Hills, N.J./Half Hollow East) was seldom tested, stopping one shot in his first collegiate shutout.

The Leopards added a goal as time expired when Paulo Coelho (Whippany, N.J./Whippany Park) took a long-range shot past a drawn-out Jeff Groeber. Groeber, made one save on the night in the loss.

The Leopards, now 2-1, will play St. Francis (Pa.) on Sunday at noon in the final round of the Puma Lafayette Soccer Classic. Penn (0-1) will play at Lehigh at 1 p.m. on Sunday.