November 1, 2014

 

(5-11-1, 2-6-1)     1 2 F  Lafayette 0 0 0  Loyola 0 0 0   Box Score (6-8-4, 2-3-4)  

 

EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette women's soccer team and Loyola played 110 minutes to a scoreless draw on Senior Night at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium on Saturday evening to end the season for the Leopards.

Prior to the contest, seniors Jaclyn Giordano, Caroline Craver, Laura Zito, Nicole Lee, Alex Reisinger, Kelly Boyce, Catrina Yohay and Alyssa Finelli were honored for their four years of contributions to the program.

"Four years goes fast and it's such a big commitment to complete four years of college athletics," head coach Mick Statham said. "We thank them for their time and efforts, and wish them all the best in the future."

The first real chance of the game for either side came in the 30^th minute for Loyola. A long cross was sent into the Lafayette defensive box from the left side, finding the head of the Greyhounds' Jessica Van Dyke. Van Dyke flicked it toward the far side and Lafayette sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Sedillo made a backpedaling, diving save to her left to keep the ball out of the net.

Just three minutes later, sophomore Kaelin King came through with a chance of her own on Lafayette's first shot of the game. King worked through the middle of the field to the right of the box, cut back and sent a powerful shot on goal, forcing a diving save from Loyola goalkeeper Colleen Folan.

With those as the only true chances, the game moved into the second half with each team looking for increased offense. That offense almost presented itself in the 50^th minute for the Leopards off a corner kick.

Junior Samantha Potoczak sent a service to the far, top side of the box, connecting with classmate Allie Torru. Torru sent a feed through the box to a cutting Finelli, who tried to turn on a shot from about 10 yards away, but Folan dove to her right and stopped the attempt, one of her six saves on the night.

Despite offense being the focus, there was very little in the second session as neither team recorded a shot in an over 15-minute stretch from 28:30 to 13:12 remaining in the contest. Additionally, Loyola did not put a shot on Sedillo for a 39:51 stretch overlapping the second half and the first overtime period.

As the game moved into the first overtime, Finelli looked to have won it in the 92^nd minute. King fed a beautiful through-ball into the left side of the box and connected with Finelli on the other end, who sent it into the far side of the net as celebrations began. However, a late offsides call waved off the goal and play continued.

Finelli's chance was the final straw for either side offensively, as the Leopards finished their season with a 0-0 draw. The tie sends Loyola into the Patriot League Tournament, giving the Greyhounds the sixth seed with the draw coupled with a Lehigh loss.

"I thought both teams battled hard in tough conditions," Statham added. "Of course you want to finish the game with a win, but I thought both teams were resilient, worked hard and a tie is a fair result at the end of the day."

Sedillo and Folan each recorded six saves for their clean sheets on the night. Loyola led the way in shots, 15-10, and corner kicks, 7-4.

Lafayette ends its 2014 campaign with an overall record of 5-11-1 and a conference mark of 2-6-1.