Sept. 4, 2016 Box Score
UNION, N.J. - The Lafayette women's soccer team kept its unbeaten streak intact on Sunday afternoon against NJIT, working a 1-1 double-overtime draw in Union, N.J. on the campus of Kean University.
NJIT came out controlling much of the offense, but the Lafayette defense stood strong, led by five first-half saves from senior Danielle Sedillo. In the 19th minute, Sedillo was able to stop an NJIT header out for a corner and then came up with another stop on the ensuing chance.
Lafayette took control early in the second stanza as seniors Melissa Lynskey and Kaelin King linked up for the first score of the game in the 51st minute. Breaking on a counter-attack, Lynskey played a fantastic flick-on off a clear from the Lafayette defense to a cutting King down the right side of the NJIT defensive third.
King broke down her defender and cut back toward the box, playing a low cross to Lynskey, waiting on the near-post side of the goal mouth. Lynskey popped a one-time shot into the top right corner of the net and gave the Leopards a 1-0 lead.
The game moved into the latter stages before a shot off the foot of NJIT's Fiorella Doglio found the crossbar in the 68th minute. Six minutes later, the Highlanders equalized as Melanie Zrno converted on a penalty kick to make it 1-1 late.
As the game moved into overtime, it seemed as if either side would be satisfied with a draw result. Saves from both keepers in the 105th and 106th minutes squashed any chances at a winner and the game finished at 1-1.
"It was a very competitive game and both teams played well," head coach Mick Statham said. "Our goal was great quality and our fighting spirit was pleasing to see. It was a performance that will stand us in good stead for the upcoming schedule."
The tie moves the Leopards' record to 3-0-2 on the season, while NJIT stands at 4-0-2 on the year. The Highlanders led the way in shots, 21-12, and Sedillo finished with seven saves on the afternoon compared to three for NJIT's Karen David. Fouls were 11-9 with the Leopards committing the former and NJIT held the edge in corners, 6-4.
Lafayette, without a loss through five games for the first time in the history of the program, travels to Penn for its next contest on Friday, a 7 p.m. match in Philadelphia.
