EASTON, Pa. -- The Lafayette men's soccer team defeated American in a penalty shootout Saturday night at Gummeson Grounds: Home of Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.The team will now advance to the semifinal round against Loyola, Md. on Tuesday in Baltimore.

Lafayette led 2-1 in the shootout as junior Lawrence Aydlett stepped up to the spot.The  Reisterstown Md. tucked the ball away emphatically and the celebration was on. 

In the 29^th minute of play, American opened the scoring. Robert Matei drove down towards the end line on the left flank before fizzing a ball across the Leopards' penalty area. Nevin Baer made a darting run into the box and finished the cross, giving American the 1-0 advantage that it retained through halftime.

Lafayette leveled the match in the 51^st minute. Senior captain Hale Lombard was chasing down a loose ball in the Eagles' penalty area before the ball fell to junior Carter Houlihan. Houlihan opened up his hips and slotted home the equalizer off the post.

Matei regained the lead for the Eagles shortly after Houlihan's goal. He picked the ball off a Leopard defender before he continued running through on goal. The senior forward calmly finished the ball past junior goalkeeper Griffin Huff.

Lafayette gained a one man advantage in the 53rd minute when Evan Schweickert was sent off for American. 

In the 75^th minute, the Leopards once again found the equalizer. Connor Dawson stood over the ball awaiting to take a corner kick. Dawson's service found the head of sophomore Nicholas Liebich who headed the ball into the six-yard box. Freshman Roy Biegon got his head to the ball and nodded home his second goal of the year.

When the final whistle blew, the match remained at 2-2 which called for overtime.

During both 10-minute overtime periods, neither team could find the winner. Both sides prepared for a penalty shootout.

Lafayette won the match 3-1 in the shootout, meaning it will advance to the Patriot League Tournament semifinal at Loyola on Tuesday at 6 p.m.