EASTON, Pa. - Sophomore Krista Kissell scored in the 51st minute for the only goal of the afternoon as Lafayette opened the 2018 season with a 1-0 win over Big East foe Villanova at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.

After both teams had scoring opportunities turned away in the opening half, Kissell took a perfect pass from senior Alex Stanford and calmly put it in the back right of the net past the outstretched arms of the Wildcats 6'3" goalkeeper, Hensley Hancuff. 

"I pretty much just kept my head down and put it where I thought," said Kissell after netting her fifth career goal and second game-winner. "That what coach always tells me 'keep your head down, you know where the goal is - it doesn't move'"

Head coach Mick Statham was extremely pleased with the way the Leopards executed the game plan against a tough opponent. The Wildcats handed Lafayette a 5-0 setback in 2017 and had led the all-time series between the two teams 6-0.

"They (Villanova) are an excellent team. They are well coached and they play really nice soccer," Statham said. "I thought the returning players displayed confidence and executed the game plan really well and the freshman applied themselves really well. It was a good team effort."

Indeed, Lafayette was strong in all aspects of the game and when the Wildcats were able to make a run beyond the midfield they were met with much resistance from the Leopards defense -- led by Lauren Johnson and Caitlin Balmer in front of sophomore goalkeeper Maggie Pohl.

Johnson and Balmer played all ninety minutes on a humid day and helped Pohl record the first shutout of her career.

"The key when you are under pressure defensively is to bend, but don't break," Statham said. "You are going to be under pressure when you play good teams and be calm enough to handle the pressure and not feel it. Maggie is an excellent goalkeeper. I thought her hands were really clean today."

The goal by Kissell was not the only opportunity for the Lafayette offense.  Kissell had a good chance in the seventh minute that was turned away by Hancuff and Alexa Buffa had a shot sail wide late in the first half.

Alex Sanford, Gabrielle Martone and Sophie Saldivar all registered shots as the Leopards kept pressure on for the entire 90 minutes.

"One of the biggest things we talk about is we don't sit back and play defense - we are either attacking or attacking to get the ball back," said Kissell. "If we sit back they will get more chances. We just wanted to keep the ball forward and not play a different game after we scored the goal."

Next up for Lafayette is Delaware State (0-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.