WEST POINT, N.Y. - Despite a strong first three periods, Lafayette could not overtake No. 17 Army, as it dropped a 17-9 decision on a rainy Friday night in Michie Stadium.
 
Juniors Carter Cecil and Kalman Kraham led Lafayette with two goals apiece, and Cecil chipped in an assist. 
 
Army's Jacob Morin led the Black Knights with four goals. Bailey O'Connor, Reese Burek and Paul Johnson each chipped in three goals.
 
Senior Macklin Fitzpatrick put Lafayette on the board at 12:04 in the first quarter, giving the Leopards a 1-0 lead. Army's Gunnar Fellows responded with a goal at 11:33, as the teams remained tied 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.
 
At 13:58 in the second quarter, Morin gave the Black Knights a 2-1 lead. Johnson got on the board at 8:35, extending Army's lead to 3-1. 
 
Cecil and Kraham erased the deficit, tying it up with just over five minutes remaining in the half. 
 
Morin and Lehman traded goals heading into the final two minutes of the half. The Black Knights' Finn McCullough struck with 36 seconds remaining, leading Army into halftime with a 5-4 lead.
 
Reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Week, Evan Plunkett, opened the second-half scoring as Army led 6-4 with 9:55 left in the third. 
 
The Leopards netted back-to-back goals. Senior Ryan Duncan capitalized on an extra-man opportunity and rookie Jack Irish scored his first of the game to tie it 6-6 with 8:24 on the clock.
 
Army followed up the Leopards' run with a three-goal run. Burek, O'Connor and Morin each scored as the Black Knights led 9-6 with 3:36 left in the third quarter.
 
Lafayette halted the streak when Cecil netted his second goal of the game on a man-up opportunity, inching the Leopards closer. Army led 9-7 at the end of the third quarter.
 
Army's faceoff specialist, Will Coletti, won the opening faceoff in the fourth, taking it down himself to give the Black Knights a 10-7 lead eight seconds into the quarter.
 
Burek and O'Connor each followed up with their second goals of the game, extending Army's lead to 12-7 with 12:32 left in the game.
 
Junior Jacob Freeman netted his first of the game before Army kicked off a five-goal run to take a 17-8 lead with 2:51 left in the game. Kraham netted the final goal in the contest with 32 seconds remaining
 
Rookie goalkeeper Joe Doherty recorded nine saves. Army's Knox Dent tallied 10 saves and earned the win, while teammate Matt Chess closed out the game with three saves and one goal against.
 
The Leopards continue their road trip at Hampton on Tuesday at noon.