Oct. 26, 2004
Box Score
VILLANOVA, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette used a pair of second-half goals to lay claim to a 2-1 victory over Villanova on Tuesday in men's soccer action. Freshman Stefan McVeigh scored in the 50th minute and Lafayette added its final score on an own goal 30 minutes later for the Leopards' 11th win of the season.
The Wildcats (6-5-4) took a 1-0 lead heading into halftime thanks to a Craig Moscetti goal at 41:52. Moscetti got his body on a clearing attempt off the foot of Lafayette goalkeeper Mike Tortora. Moscetti then gained possession, dribbled to his left and then sent a low shot into the far corner of the net for his first goal of the season.
Five minutes and two seconds into the second half, senior co-captain Victor Krasij blocked a Villanova clearing attempt deep in the Wildcats' zone. The ball went directly to McVeigh who deposited a shot into the top right corner of the net, beyond the outstretched arm of Villanova goalkeeper Jason Friel. It was McVeigh's fifth goal of the season and third in his last two matches. Krasij assisted on the goal, his fourth assist and 12th point of the season.
Both teams had chances to snap the 1-1 tie in the final 30 minutes of the match. The game-winning tally ultimately came on a broken play. Sophomore Thomas Harju, who leads the team in scoring with 15 points, sent a corner kick into the box intended for senior Nathan Jolly. A Villanova defender stepped in front of Jolly and inadvertently headed the ball past Friel at the 80:11 mark to give the Leopards a 2-1 edge.
Villanova had two free kicks in the Lafayette end in the final ten minutes, but the Lafayette defense was able to hang on for the 2-1 victory.
Tortora was credited with three saves in posting the win in net for Lafayette while Friel made four saves for Villanova. Villanova held a 17-12 shot advantage and a 5-2 margin in corner kicks.
Lafayette (11-3, 4-1) returns to action Saturday when the Leopards travel to face Lehigh in a 7 p.m. kick off. The Leopards, 4-1 in conference play, currently rest atop the Patriot League standings in a tie with American University. Lafayette is a win or tie away from clinching a spot in the four-team Patriot League Tournament for the 12th time in the 15-year history of the event, and they have walked away with five Patriot League Tournament championships.
