October 25, 2014

(5-10-0, 2-6-0) 1 2 F Lafayette 0 0 0 Army 1 1 2 Box Score (7-7-3, 4-1-3)

WEST POINT, N.Y. - An Army goal at the end of the first half and a costly own goal late in the game were the deciders in a 2-0 defeat for the Lafayette women's soccer team in West Point, N.Y. on Saturday evening.

The game was a back-and-forth affair throughout the first half with the first real scoring chance from either side coming in the 23^rd minute off the foot of sophomore Joanna Scotti. Senior co-captain Jaclyn Girodano, working down the right side, played a cross into the middle of the box for classmate Alyssa Finelli. Finelli, instead of going for goal, flicked it back and left it for a wide-open Scotti in front, who sailed it just over the crossbar in Lafayette's best chance of the night.

Late in the half, Army opened the scoring as the Knights' Sam Gottlieb finished a feed from Madison McGinn in the 43^rd minute past the Leopards' sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Sedillo to light up the board for the first time and take a 1-0 lead into the break.

Coming out in the second, Army was determined to get their second marker as a Knights forward found space at the top of the box right out of the break with just Sedillo to beat. The Army player took one too many steps and the Leopards goalie made her pay, swallowing up the shot, one of her eight saves on the night.

Midway through the second, Army threatened again off a corner. A great service into the box connected with a forward on the far side, who headed it towards goal. The shot beat Sedillo, but Scotti was there on the back line for the defensive save to keep the game a one-goal affair with about 20 minutes to play.

Finally in the 81^st minute, the Knights put the game out of reach on a free kick. Army's Madison Oliver sent a set piece toward the box from the midfield stripe that fooled junior Kelly Chickering and went under the surprised Sedillo for the second goal, an insurance tally. The Knights would hold that lead to the final buzzer, winning by a score of 2-0.

The eight saves by Sedillo were her second-most of the year as she stopped 10 shots in a win over Holy Cross on Oct. 4. Army's Jordan Cassalia made four saves for her clean sheet.

Army led the way in shots, 19-11, and each team threatened with four corner-kick opportunities.

Next up for Lafayette is a return home on Tuesday for its final non-conference contest of the season, hosting Columbia at 7 p.m. The Leopards will end their season on Saturday when they welcome Loyola to Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium for Senior Night. Kickoff for Saturday's game is also set for 7 p.m.