Sept. 22, 2006
Box Score
EASTON, Pa.- (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette used a complete team effort for 90 minutes on Friday night to capture a 5-0 triumph over St. Peter's at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium. From the opening kickoff, Lafayette seized control of the game, using tenacious pressure to force several chances in the opening minutes.
In the eighth minute, junior tri-captain Caroline Tuttle used a corner kick to place the ball into fellow tri-captain Ashley Yelland. Yelland played the ball back outside to Tuttle, who one-touched the ball into the St. Peter's goal box and found the head of sophomore midfielder Jacquelyn Marchese. Marchese beat St. Peter's goalkeeper Jillian Fueshko and the Leopards had an early 1-0 lead.
Twelve minutes later, Lafayette struck again when junior forward Kelly Koreyva sent a pass into Tuttle, who took a shot from 20 yards out and found the back of the net, past the outstretched arms of Fueshko.
The Leopards continued to capitalize on chances when junior midfielder Alison Hingley recorded her first goal of the season. Hingley dribbled down the right side of the field, before floating a shot over the head of Fueshko and sneaking the ball just inside the far post.
Lafayette ended its dominating first half performance when Yelland took a free kick from 25 yards away and tucked the ball into the left side of the goal.
The Leopards continued to use solid ball control to force the ball deep into the Peahen defense and create numerous chances. Lafayette capped off the win when sophomore midfielder Jenny Polak scored her first goal of the season with 54 seconds remaining. Polak, who hit the post on a shot earlier in the second half, received a pass from senior Kelli McMahon along the left side. Polak raced in and beat Fueshko just inside the near post to give the Leopards a 5-0 victory.
Head Coach Mick Statham was impressed by his team's entire performance.
"I thought tonight was a very professional performance," Statham said. "Our attitude was excellent before, during and after the game. Tonight was just another positive step in developing that winning culture."
Yelland was also encouraged by the way her team continues to grow as they enter the middle of the 2006 campaign.
"You can see us gaining more and more confidence every game, not only individually, but as a team," Yelland said. "Tonight, we played a great all-around game."
Lafayette improves it's record to 3-3-1, while the Peahens drop to 1-6 on the year.
The Leopards now travel to the Bronx, N.Y. to battle Fordham on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Lafayette will use next week prepare to open Patriot League action, starting when Lehigh visits Mike Bourger '44 Field on Saturday Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
