Sept. 28, 2010
Box Score
NEWARK, N.J. - The Lafayette men's soccer team overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit on Tuesday night at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, getting second-half goals from sophomore Sean Peckham and senior Stephen Macurdy and the game-winner from senior Justin Kamine to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory.
With the win, the Leopards improve to 5-2-2 on the season. NJIT falls to 2-6 with the loss. Lafayette began the series with the Highlanders in 2005 and remains unbeaten in the all-time matchup at 4-0-1.
Kamine notched his first goal of the season in the 107th minute, as a well-struck Peckham corner kick found the head of the 6'2" senior, who redirected the ball past NJIT goalkeeper John Ricketti to give the win to the Leopards less than four minutes away from the match being declared a draw.
Papis Ciss (16') and Rahim Stennett (38') spotted the Highlanders a 2-0 advantage entering the intermission, as the home team outshot Lafayette by a 9-2 margin in the opening 45 minutes of action.
Less than three minutes into the second half, however, Peckham cut the lead to one goal. The sophomore capitalized on a penalty kick opportunity at 47:52 - the second time in two attempts that he has buried a PK this season. The goal is his third of 2010, and the tally coupled with his assist on the game-winner brings his team-best point total to nine.
The equalizer came in the 68th minute, as Macurdy controlled a loose ball in front of the Highlanders' net and booted it past Ricketti to knot the score at 2-2. The unassisted goal is the second for Macurdy, who has also recorded three assists this season.
Junior Graham Heydt made the start in goal for the Leopards, the first time that somebody other than senior Andrew Pianko has occupied the Lafayette net in 2010, and earned the win. Heydt made three saves, including a stop in the 80th minute to preserve the 2-2 stalemate.
Ricketti made two saves, both in the first half, for the Highlanders. Pete Walker, Nathan D'Aversa and Chris Fawzy assisted on the NJIT goals.
The Leopards will look to build on their two-match winning streak and their 1-0 Patriot League record this weekend, traveling to Lehigh on Saturday, Oct. 2 for a 7 p.m. contest. Fans planning to head to Bethlehem are advised that the Mountain Hawks will be charging a $5 admission price. The pitch at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium sees its next action on Saturday, Oct. 9 for a 7 p.m. league match against American.
