Sept. 26, 2007
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette (3-6) faced its third Ivy League opponent of the season hosting Columbia (3-5) at Rappolt Field tonight. The Leopards defeated the Lions, 2-1, in overtime with junior Jaclyn DiSanti scoring the game-winning goal with 15 seconds remaining on the clock. It was a night of firsts for Lafayette as rookie Cara Lyons scored the first goal of the game and the first of her career.
The Leopards had two shots on Columbia's netminder Gena Miller in the first half. Lafayette's defense held Columbia without a shot and the period ended, 0-0.
Columbia garnered four penalty corner opportunities in the second half. Senior Courtney Dixon in the cage and the Leopards' defense held the Lions at bay denying them a goal.
The Leopards' capitalized on their own penalty corner with Lyons recording her first collegiate goal, putting the ball in the upper left corner of the cage. Senior Laura Fabian an added assist. With a little over sixteen minutes remaining in the game, the Maroon and White were ahead, 1-0. Columbia continued to battle and had another chance to put one on the board with a penalty corner. Dixon and the defense stopped the Lions and DiSanti denied Columbia a rebound shot.
The penalty corner battle continued, Fabian had another quality chance forcing Miller to make a save. With 18 seconds remaining, Columbia's Liz Reeve put one on the board to tie the game, 1-1, and force overtime.
Moments into the sudden victory overtime, the Lions nearly scored off a penalty corner, but continued to pressure the Lafayette defense. The Leopards responded to the pressure scoring the game-winning goal with 15 seconds remaining in overtime. DiSanti scored with the help of junior Maggie Condon to seal the 2-1 Lafayette victory.
"I think they deserve a win tonight, they have been working very hard, and it has been difficult to be improving and not see that on the scoreboard," said head coach Andrew Griffiths. "It was also great timing for Jackie's first career goal."
Their homestretch continues Saturday when the Leopards open Patriot League play against Holy Cross at noon. Following the game, the LC Advanced Play Fall Clinic Series continues at 4 p.m.
