Sept. 20, 2007
EASTON, Pa. - Sophomore Kevin Miller scored the game-winning goal with less than six minutes remaining to lead the Lafayette men's soccer team (4-1-2) to a 1-0 win over Philadelphia University Thursday night. The shutout was the team's third straight and fourth of the season.
The Leopards out shot the Rams 14-5 while Philadelphia racked up 10 fouls to just three from Lafayette. Freshman goalie Andrew Pianko made the first start of his collegiate career and recorded two saves en route to the shutout.
There were just 10 shots taken by both squads in the opening half. Philadelphia's Devon Klipp fired a shot at the 15:36 mark that was saved by Pianko, his first true test of the match. The Leopards nearly got on the board when a pass from freshman B.J. Glenn found David Tapsfield, but Tapsfield's shot went just wide of goal.
Mike Tilley helped anchor a Lafayette defense that held the Rams to just four shots in the opening half. Tilley intercepted several passes from the Philadelphia offense to keep the Rams off the board.
Defense again dominated for much of the second half although the Lafayette offense seemed to find its momentum. Philadelphia's Klipp fired a shot with 56:01 on the scoreboard that hit the post, keeping the game scoreless. That would be the only shot the Rams would take in the half as the Lafayette defense continued its solid play.
The Leopards' offense took eight shots in the second half and saw more scoring opportunities than it had in the opening period. Midfielder Kenn Stearns fired a direct shot at goal that was smothered by Rams goalie Ezra Cassel with 17:43 remaining.
The offense continued to put pressure on the Rams and finally broke through when Miller directed a pass from Anthony Sepe past Cassel to put the Leopards on the board with just 5:42 remaining and Lafayette went on to secure the 1-0 victory.
Lafayette continues its three-game homestand when the team hosts Manhattan on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.
GAME NOTES:
* The Leopards are currently ranked second in the NSCAA's Mid Atlantic Region. St. Louis, ranked 18th in the nation, is the only team above Lafayette in the voting, which is released each Tuesday.
* Miller's goal was his first of the season and the third of his career. Miller also got the start in tonight's game, his first start of the fall.
* Sepe's assist was also his first of the season.
