Oct. 3, 2009
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette women's soccer team did everything except put the ball in the back of the net on Saturday afternoon, as the Leopards played with Holy Cross the entire game in the Patriot League opener for both squads.
The two squads battled back and forth for the majority of the first half, with the only difference being a Crusader goal from Shelby Stand. A free kick from midfield was deflected to the feet of Stand before she found the back of the net with a right-footed shot.
Lafayette responded and the teams exchanged chances the rest of the half with the Leopards using scoring chances from Natalie Stone and Dana Moyer.
Following the intermission, the Crusaders held possession for the first 10 minutes of the half. However, a Lafayette defense that had held its opponents scoreless for over 300 minutes of soccer before the first half goal, held strong and kept the score at 1-0.
It was the Leopards that controlled the remainder of the half, with the ball spending more than the majority of time in the Lafayette offensive end.
Then, a brief Crusader counter with three minutes remaining was responded with final Leopard burst. A free kick from junior Katie Roberts made its way through the Crusader defense. The ball found its way to two Leopard shots, but one was deflected and the other barely soared over the crossbar as time ran out on a Lafayette comeback bid.
Freshman goalkeeper Lauren Smedley made three saves on the day, as did her counterpart Mary Ferketic. Holy Cross had six shots to Lafayette's five and the corner kicks saw the same numbers.
"It's a disappointing result for us because I thought we created enough clear chances to at least get one goal," head coach Mick Statham said following the game. "Give credit to Holy Cross, they converted their chances and it ended up being the game-winner. Even though I don't think we played to our full potential, I thought we did enough to get a result but we'll recollect, regather and recover and get ready for Bucknell and Colgate next weekend."
The Leopards will take the week to prepare for a crucial Patriot League weekend on the road beginning with Bucknell on Friday night. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. in Lewisburg, Pa.
