Oct. 27, 2009

Box Score

EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette defense was determined to keep Columbia off the scoreboard and B.J. Glenn made sure one goal was all the men's soccer team needed to gain a victory over Columbia on Tuesday night. The Leopards picked up their third straight shutout and ended their non-conference slate on a winning note.

Glenn netted his team-leading sixth goal of the season with less than 15 minutes to play. It also marked his fourth game winner of the fall as the Leopards improved to 9-5-2 overall.

Lafayette goalie Graham Heydt made his first career start and played all 90 minutes, finishing with one save against the Lions (4-8-1). Columbia's offense took just seven shots, only one of which was on goal.

Lafayette controlled the game from the start, but it was the Lions who several chances at breaking the tie in the final two minutes of the half, including a header from Will Stamatis that Heydt just got a hand on. Columbia also had a corner kick opportunity with 26 seconds to play, but the Lafayette defense did not cave and it remained 0-0 at the half.

Kyle Scharfenberg nearly put the Leopards on the scoreboard with a shot less than five minutes into the second half, but it went just inches high of the goal. With less than 28 minutes to play, the rookie had another chance to net his first goal of the season and while he managed to get a good foot on the ball, it went right at Columbia goalie Alex Aurrichio.

With 14:55 on the clock, things finally fell Lafayette's way. Eli Hajjar, who came in off the bench in the 24th minute of the half, corralled a ball on the left side of the field and found Glenn right in front of the Columbia goal. Glenn knocked the ball past Aurrichio for the 1-0 Lafayette lead. The assist marked the first point of Hajjar's collegiate career.

The Leopards hit the road on Friday for a crucial Patriot League matchup against Bucknell. The game will be nationally televised on the Fox Soccer Channel and the start time is 8 p.m.