Nov. 2, 2010
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette men's soccer team closed out its non-league schedule, as well as its 2010 slate of matches at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium, on Tuesday night against No. 22 Penn State. The nationally-ranked Nittany Lions scored early and kept the Leopards off the board en route to taking a 1-0 decision.
With the loss, Lafayette moves to 7-7-3 on the season. The Nittany Lions, who have been ranked as high as No. 15 this season, improve to 11-5-1 with their third straight victory.
The lone goal came just 7:01 into the contest, as Daniel Burnham beat Lafayette goalkeeper Graham Heydt for his first tally of the season. Matt Smallwood, who delivered the initial cross, and Justin Lee, who found Burnham through traffic in the box, were both credited with assists.
Heydt, making his third start of the season, was solid from that point forward. The junior, who was named Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week after his last start, made four stops to keep the deficit at 1-0.
The Leopards' best opportunity came near the end of the first half. Penn State goalkeeper Brendan Birmingham abandoned the net to challenge a loose ball, which landed at the foot of junior Eli Hajjar. Hajjar blasted a shot at the wide open net, but the attempt hit the crossbar and ricocheted harmlessly out of the box.
Birmingham stopped the only Lafayette shot on goal to complete the clean sheet.
The Leopards rested many key starters in preparation for Saturday's crucial Patriot League finale at Navy. Lafayette needs a victory in the 7 p.m. contest - as well as a Bucknell loss or draw at Lehigh - to advance to its ninth consecutive Patriot League Tournament.
