(1-0-0) 1 2 F Lafayette 0 1 1 Delaware State 0 0 0 Box Score (0-1-0)

DOVER, Del. - Junior Melissa Lynskey found the upper right corner of the net in the 86^th minute and the defense shut the door on Delaware State on Friday evening in Dover, Del. as Lafayette women's soccer opened its season with a 1-0 victory.

"I'm really happy for the team. They played hard and never stopped trying to win the game," head coach Mick Statham said. "We needed to be patient and Melissa's goal was exactly what we needed."

Lynskey, who was moved to forward in the spring after two seasons at defense and defensive midfield, began the season with the tall task of replacing Third-Team All-Patriot League performer Jaclyn Giordano up front and did not disappoint alongside junior Kaelin King. The goal is the second of her career in Maroon and White.

Lafayette's defense was the main story in this one, however, as Delaware State was held to just one shot and nothing on goal over 90 minutes of play as the Leopards controlled possession from wire to wire. Junior goalkeeper Danielle Sedillo picked up her first win without having to record a save, while the Hornets' Michele Lammers made five saves in defeat.

The game began slowly as both teams opened their campaigns tentatively. After 18:20 of shotless action, freshman Katie Brannigan and junior Monica Weiss both threatened the Delaware State defense, but neither shot was on target.

The Leopard defense stood strong as it took over 39 minutes for the Hornets to tally their lone shot of the game off the foot of Ayanna Smith. That shot was blocked in front and Sedillo did not see anything on goal throughout the first 45 minutes of play.

The second half was much of the same with Lafayette scratching together a shot here and there and playing stout defense as the game moved into the 80^th minutes still scoreless. Then, Lynskey provided the spark.

Following a period of sustained pressure that saw two shots, one on goal, from sophomore Reanna Leoni, and a pair of corners to keep the ball in the Delaware State half, Lynskey found the ball at her feet inside the 18 in the lower left corner in the 86^th minute. The junior slotted it past the outstretched arm Lammers and into the upper right corner of the net for the game-winner.

Lafayette finished the night with 14 shots and seven on goal. The Leopards led the way in corner kicks as well by a 5-1 margin.

The Maroon and White return to Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium on Monday for their home opener against NJIT. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.