Sept. 11, 2009
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. - The first and second halves of Friday night's men's soccer match between Lafayette and Fordham couldn't have been much more different. The first half was dominated by defense and Lafayette's offense clicked in the second half to propel the Leopards to a 2-0 shutout of Fordham.
The Leopards improved to 3-0-1 with the win on the opening day of the 9th Annual Lafayette Puma Soccer Classic. Freshman Sean Peckham netted his second goal of the season and B.J. Glenn, making his first appearance of the year after returning from injury, added an insurance goal late in the game.
Lafayette goalie Philip Nelson picked up his third shutout of the season. He made three stops, all of which came in the critical second half. The Leopard defense held the Rams (0-3) to only four shots.
Defense was the name of the game in opening half as the first shot of the match didn't come until more than 41 minutes had elapsed. The Leopards had their first two real scoring threats in the final three minutes. Adam Allers had perhaps the best chance with a clear look at the goal, but Fordham goalie Ryan Meara made the save to keep it scoreless at the midway point.
Lafayette's offense picked up after halftime. The Leopards had three corner kick opportunities in less than a minute span but could not convert on any of them.
The offensive drought finally ended when freshman Blake Fink's pass found classmate Peckham, who put it past Meara with 63:18 on the clock.
Nelson made his first save of the night with 20 minutes to play, but it was a relatively easy one as Sam Jolly shot it right into Nelson's arms to preserve the Lafayette lead.
Junior Andrew Pianko nearly gave Lafayette some insurance when his cross found Fink, but Fink's shot knocked off the upper right post.
Glenn made sure the Leopards got that insurance goal when he found himself alone on a breakaway and fired the ball into the back of the net with two minutes to play.
Fordham didn't quit and forced Nelson into making his final two saves in the closing minutes of the contest but Nelson kept up his solid play to preserve the Lafayette win and shutout.
The Lafayette Soccer Classic concludes on Sunday with two matches. Villanova and Fordham square-off at 12 p.m. and the Leopards face Binghamton at 2:30 p.m.
Postgame Notes:
- Lafayette has shut out three of its four opponents this season and Nelson now has 14 career saves, tied for sixth all-time in Lafayette history.
- The Leopards' freshmen have combined to account for 10 of the team's 12 points this year.
