EASTON, Pa. – The Lafayette College men's soccer team beat No. 2 Holy Cross on Wednesday night at Oaks, clinching the North Division and advancing to the Patriot League Championship game. 
 
The Leopards were led by senior Andrew Venezia and junior Max Ippolito who each netted a goal in the Leopards victory. For Venezia, it was his first collegiate goal and for Ippolito, his second of the season. Venezia also added three shots, two on goal to his stat line and Ippolito's goal came off his lone shot of the game.
 
Sophomore Benji Grossi netted the Leopards lone assist of the game, assisting on Ippolito's goal in the 72^nd minute.
 
Lafayette (7-0, 4-0 North, 6-0 PL) was able to net the first goal in the 20^th minute of action off a direct shot from Venezia to put the Maroon and White up by one. Ippolito then found the back of the net in the 72^nd minute, off an assist from Grossi to put the Leopards up 2-0.
 
Holy Cross (2-2, 2-1 North, 2-1 PL) cut the score in half in the 74^th minute to bring the score to 2-1 but could not find the equalizer as Lafayette earned the 2-1 victory to advance to the Patriot League Tournament Championship game.
 
With the win, the Leopards will make their second-straight Patriot League Championship appearance, the program's 13^th overall championship appearance and will be on the hunt for the programs eighth Patriot League Championship title. The last time they appeared in the Patriot League Tournament Championship game was the 2019 season when they faced-off against Lehigh. 
 
The Leopards will host the No. 2 American University Eagles on Saturday, April 17, for the Patriot League Championship title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The game is slated for a 3 p.m. start.