BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - Senior Monica Weiss posted her first career goal and the defense did the rest as the Lafayette women's soccer team remained unbeaten with a 1-0 victory on the road at Binghamton on Thursday evening.
The only goal in the game came in the seventh minute as the Leopards won a corner to the right of the opposing goal. Senior Julia Wescott sent a short service to the near side of the six-yard box where sophomore Katie Brannigan was able to get a foot on it, sending a volley lob across the front of goal. Weiss was there on the receiving end, pushing a strong header back toward the near side and beating the Binghamton goalkeeper for the winner.
"It was a mature team performance," head coach Mick Statham said. "I was very impressed with the temperament of the team, particularly in the second half."
Weiss was a difference-maker all over the pitch in the contest, consistently winning 50/50 balls and showing an ability to beat her defender with excellent footwork. The Boca Raton, Fla. native was put in more of an attacking position at the beginning of the game with classmate Kaelin King coming off the bench.
"Monica was excellent tonight," Statham added. "She showed her qualities as an attacking player and put a really good shift in for the team."
Senior goalkeeper Danielle Sedillo was also solid in net throughout the contest. Despite finishing with just one save, she certainly made a difference in terms of defensive control and thwarting offensive chances when needed. Her play, along with the efforts from her defenders in front of her produced just one shot on goal from the opposing side and only one effort from inside the 18-yard box.
Lafayette had a chance at a second tally in the 19th minute when senior Melissa Lynskey found some space in the middle at the top of the box. However, her shot was fired right at the keeper for an easy save, one of the few other threats the Leopards presented throughout the rest of the game.
Binghamton's best chance at an equalizer came in the 60th minute when a long run down the right side opened up a through-ball lane run onto by the Bearcats' Lauren Spinnato. The freshman fired a good, strong shot to the right side from the top of the box that forced a reaching save up and out from the outstretched left arm of Sedillo.
The defense settled in over the final 30 minutes and allowed just three shots in that final stretch to help the clock run out on the second victory of the season for the Maroon and White. The win keeps the Leopards unbeaten at 2-0-1 on the year and drops Binghamton to 1-1-1 on the young season.
Shots favored the home side by a 7-5 margin, while corners were 4-2 for Lafayette and the Leopards committed six fouls compared to the Bearcats' eight.
Lafayette returns home for its next contest, a Sunday afternoon meeting with LIU-Brooklyn at 12 p.m.
