EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette played Patriot League men's soccer regular-season champion Loyola evenly for most of the evening, but a goal in the first minute proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win by the Greyhounds at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.

In its first possession of the contest, Loyola senior Gabriel Carlsson played a ball up the left side to junior midfielder Barry Sharifi who deftly placed a ball on the left foot of freshman striker Stephen Nichols, who pushed it into the right side of the net a mere 35 seconds into the match.

Stunned, but undeterred, the Leopards spent the next 89 minutes chasing the elusive equalizer. Senior forward Josh Kruczek, playing the final game of his career on Senior Night, applied the most pressure of the night especially during a three minute span late in the first half when he nearly converted a giveaway by the Loyola defense in the 30th minute but was turned away by keeper Chase Vosvick.  Moments later, the Canonsburg, Pennsylvania native got in deep again but his rocket cross was snared by Vosvick, who recorded his 7th shutout of the season.

Despite yielding the early goal, Lafayette freshman goalkeeper Alex Sutton was brilliant. He matched a season-high with six saves - most notably stoning Loyola sniper Josh Fawole on a penalty kick in the 69th minute to keep the deficit at 1-0.

"Alex is one of the best freshman in the conference," said Lafayette head coach Dennis Bohn. "It is hard to come into Division I and play goalie, it may be the most difficult position of all. We are so excited about the future and Alex is going to be a huge part of our success next year and beyond." 

This night belonged to the three seniors, in addition to Kruczek the program recognized co-captain Joe DeStefano along with classmate Josh Koval in a pregame ceremony.  As he had done in the previous 16 games, DeStefano played every minute for the Leopards anchoring the defense.

"They are three amazing kids," Bohn said. "We always talk about leaving the program better than when you got here. Even though they physically won't be here next year they have been a huge part of our rebuilding by keeping the camaraderie and locker room together. They helped mentor our younger players and have been great students, great athletes and, most importantly, great people."

Lafayette failed to qualify for the Patriot League Men's Soccer Tournament that gets underway with quarterfinal round action on Tuesday and finished the regular season with a 5-8-4 overall record which included a big win over rival Lehigh at Oaks Stadium on October 13.