Oct. 12, 2007
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette women's soccer team dropped its second league match tonight, as the Leopards matched the defending Patriot League champion Navy Midshipmen before surrendering two late goals and falling 3-0 on Friday night at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.
An evenly-played first half saw Navy convert the only goal of the opening frame. A goal from Kristen Laraway in the 15th minute gave the Mids a 1-0 advantage.
The Leopards responded, creating multiple scoring chances in the Navy defensive end. A corner at the 16:14 mark of the first half from senior Caroline Tuttle found classmate Brittany Downham steps outside the six-yard box. Downham's strike avoided Navy goalkeeper Lizzie Barnes, but found the foot of a Navy defender protecting the goal and cleared the ball out of harms way.
More pressure from Lafayette in the second half came with 41:15 left, when the Leopards put together three consecutive chances within a five-minute span. Freshman Mackenzie Moore found Tuttle, who switched the field to place the ball to Downham. Downham took a touch, but the Navy defense made a sliding tackle to avert the Lafayette scoring chance.
Moments later, a Moore strike inside the 18-yard box was turned away by the Navy defense and a Tuttle shot from 25 yards out was stopped by Barnes to hold the Leopards scoreless.
Lafayette senior goalkeeper Mary Kate Erdman kept the Leopards within a goal in the 59th minute when Navy forward Brigette Fox came charging in with a breakaway. When Fox took one touch too far, Erdman left the line and dove for the ball to negate the breakaway and keep the score at 1-0.
A Katie Roberts shot in the 75th minute looked as though it was going to tie the game, but the ball sailed just over the net.
Minutes later, the Mids added their first of two insurance goals in a very physical and hard-fought second half from Julie Reynolds. A Fox breakaway in the 81st minute saw her dribble around Erdman before deflecting the ball off a Lafayette defender and into the goal to ice the game.
Head coach Mick Statham and his squad now turn their attention to American on Sunday.
"I think it was one of the best attacking performances from an intent standpoint that we've put together," Statham said. "I don't think we were cold-blooded enough inside the 18-yard box. Obviously, giving up goals on set pieces is very disappointing and it will be something we'll need to address before American on Sunday."
The Leopards will take on the Eagles beginning at 12 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.
