Box Score

EASTON, Pa. -- The Lafayette women's soccer team fell into a one-goal hole early and could not recover against Lehigh at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium, falling by a 1-0 score on Wednesday evening.

Tori Pantaleo's tally in the ninth minute was the only goal in the game as Lehigh's defense did well to keep Lafayette off the board. The Leopards came out of the halftime intermission with a renewed focus, but lacked the finishing touch for an equalizer.

"I thought both teams played well and it was a really well-played game," head coach Mick Statham said. "I thought it was one of the best Lafayette-Lehigh games I've been involved with. Obviously, we're disappointed with the score, but I thought we played great in the second half and it was a good advertisement for both programs."

The loss moves Lafayette to 2-4-1 in Patriot League action and 5-6-4 overall, while Lehigh earns three points in the standings and improves to 9-4-2 and 3-3-1 in league play. Lafayette has Navy and Colgate remaining on its league schedule with points needed for a shot at a postseason bid.

The lone goal in the contest was of high quality as Annika Jansa worked the ball down the right side from the midfield, side-stepped a defender, and sent a through-ball for a cutting Pantaleo into the right side of the box. Pantaleo's finish didn't miss as she placed a perfect ball into the far-side netting, giving Lafayette goalkeeper Danielle Sedillo no chance at a save.

Lehigh controlled the majority of the remainder of the first half, but Lafayette came out a different team in the second stanza, taking immediate control of possession. Sophomore Katie Brannigan sent a shot just over the crossbar early and senior Elizabeth Scoda couldn't get enough on a point-blank shot minutes later as the Leopards continued to press for the equalizer.

In the end, Lehigh's defense would not break as its goalkeeper Sam Miller made five saves and stopped everything her way to give the visitors the slim victory.

Lafayette travels to Annapolis, Md. on Saturday to take on Navy with any points important for the Leopards now. Opening kick is set for 1 p.m.