(2-1-3)     1 2 OT1 OT2 F  Lafayette 0 0 0 0 0  Fordham 0 0 0 0 0   Box Score (0-3-1)  

 

EASTON, Pa. - In a game that lasted two hours and 30 minutes in rain-altered sloppy conditions, the Lafayette men's soccer team and Fordham played to a scoreless draw on Saturday afternoon at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.

"I knew that it was going be difficult with the amount of rest we had after playing a double-overtime game at St. Francis on Wednesday," head coach Dennis Bohn said. "For us to get a result with the craziness of how the game turned out to be, I think was positive."

Sophomore goalkeeper Brad Seeber was the story all day long for the Maroon and White in what was the first game this season where he really needed to step up and make saves. Seeber came through with six stops on the afternoon for his third clean sheet of the year as the Leopards moved to 2-1-3 overall.

"We started off a little flatter than normal and I had to step up," Seeber said. "I did my job and I'm happy for us to come out with a shutout."

Fordham controlled most of the game from a possession perspective and had all five of the best scoring chances on the afternoon. After a slow start from either side, the Rams took advantage of a long free kick in the 19^th minute. The service was volleyed across the top of the box from Andres Penfold to an open Janos Loebe, who sent a low shot skidder into the hands of Seeber.

Less than 13 minutes later, the Rams' Kyle Bitterman found Ole Sandnes in the center of the box. Seeber came on strong to cut down the angle and Sandnes sent a shot into his outstretched arm before the ball was cleared from danger.

The final chance of the opening 45 minutes came with 11:30 remaining on a Loebe free kick from about five yards outside the box. Loebe sent a bending missile toward the top right corner that Seeber had to dive and deflect over the net to safety.

As the game moved into the second half, the Rams continued to press, looking for the game's first goal. With 16:40 to play, Jannik Loebe took on the Lafayette defense from midfield, weaving in and out of Leopard defenders. When Loebe got to an open spot he liked at the top of the box, he slotted it toward the left side, but Seeber again came up strong, making a diving save to his right to keep the Rams off the board.

The game moved into extra time where the best chance came early in the second overtime session. A cross from Penfold found a streaking Ryan Cupolo down the center of the box, but his shot was again stifled by Seeber to seal the final margin at 0-0.

Fordham led in most of the statistical categories, holding the edge in shots, 13-5, and corners, 8-1. The Rams put six shots on goal, while Lafayette forced Fordham goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu to make a pair of saves.

The game was a physical one from the get-go, resulting in six cards and three ejections. Fordham's Andrew Hickey and Rashid Nuhu were disqualified, while Lafayette's Eric West was sent off as well.

The Leopards hit the road for their next contest on Friday, taking on Buffalo at 5 p.m. Due to his red card in this match, West will be unavailable for that game.