EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette women's soccer team put up one goal in each half and shut out rival Lehigh 2-0 to earn its first Patriot League victory of the season on Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.

Freshman defender Sandra Alfredsdottir placed a free kick from 40-yards out into the box which was headed home by co-captain Caitlin Balmer in the 39th minute to give the hosts an early advantage. The combination off of a set piece was especially rewarding for the senior from Sherborn, Mass.

"For the past two years we have been trying to get on the end of it," Balmer said. "Abbie (Bresnahan) and I really wanted it and we said we're getting it today. Sandra put a perfect ball right in there and it worked well."

The Leopards (5-4-1, 1-1) came up empty early in the game when Sophie Saldivar drilled a shot high following a pass from Krista Kissell. After the hosts having the better opportunities in the opening 10 minutes, Lehigh seized momentum in the ensuing stretch that featured a pair of saves by junior goalkeeper Maggie Pohl and also drew the post on a shot by Rebecca Van Siclen in the 35th minute.

The teams went back-and-forth before Balmer struck with the opening goal. The Mountain Hawks finished with seven shots in the first half and Lafayette five.

"We had to be resilient at times," said head coach Mick Statham. "The wind was a bit of a factor in both halves but at the end of the day it is nice to get a result."

Not content to sit on a slim lead, Saldivar found the net in the 54th minute on a nice pass from Kissell for her fourth goal of the season and the league-leading fourth assist of the year by Kissell. 

The Leopards almost tacked on six minutes later, but Lehigh goalkeeper Miranda Royds turned away consecutive shots by Saldivar and Bresnahan.  The Mountain Hawks continued to push to get on the board, but freshman goalkeeper Natalie Neumann recorded three saves in the final 20 minutes after relieving Pohl at halftime.

The shutout was the fifth combined clean sheet for Pohl, Neumann and the Lafayette defense on the season.

"The players deserve all of the credit," said Statham. "Last week they played very well but had nothing to show for how well they played. They trained fantastic all week and came in to this game with a great attitude."

The win came in the 30th meeting between the two programs and was the first for Lafayette since an overtime victory in the 2016 Patriot League postseason tournament.

Lafayette will have a short turnaround before playing at Navy on Wednesday.  The Mids are currently the top team in the Patriot League at 2-0 and 10-1 overall after defeating their rival, Army, on Friday night.

"Enjoying this win is important - just taking it all in," said senior forward Alexa Buffa. "Then tomorrow and Monday just refocusing. We have been very good this season at just taking each game is it comes."