BALTIMORE, Md. – A goal in the 65^th minute by junior midfielder Samir Dishnica was enough to push Lafayette past Loyola on Saturday at the Ridley Athletic Complex. Saturday's victory over the hosts also marked head coach Dennis Bohn's 450^th match at the helm of the Leopards.

As action got underway, both sides fought for possession, but it was the Leopards who controlled play in the opening 10 minutes. However, the first opportunity of the contest fell to the Greyhounds. A Loyola midfielder had just picked up the ball in their attacking half when they spotted the run of Charlie Herley. The forward was quick to run in behind the Leopards' backline, but senior captain Nicholas Liebich smothered any real danger.

Loyola grew into the game as time wore on, but the Maroon and White generated a half chance in the 28^th minute. Sophomore defender Anthony Durling was dribbling with the ball on the left flank before supplying a service into the box. After an initial scrum, the ball made its way Dishnica, but a Greyhound made a great block to keep the match level.

Both teams made substitutions with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half and it almost paid off right away for Loyola. The hosts had just won a corner kick and Richie Nichols was set to take. The midfielder's cross found the heat of Oscar Halls, but his header soared over the bar.

Liebich had a half chance for Lafayette with seconds to go, but neither team ended up finding a goal in the first half.

The hosts held a lot of the ball to start the second period, but the Leopards were first to create a dangerous chance. Sophomore defender Joseph Lee had the ball at his feet prior to making an entry pass to fellow classmate Riley Martin. The forward noticed Dishnica running beyond him and cleverly flicked the ball over a Loyola defender, putting Dishnica through on goal. The Cheshire, Conn. native fired a low-driven shot, but Connor O'Keefe made a comfortable save.

Lafayette proceeded to take the corner, which found the head of a rising Liebich, but the Economics major's effort hit the far post and trickled away from goal.

The Leopards emphatically took the lead in the 65^th minute. Lafayette was attacking at speed when Dishnica drew a foul 20 yards from goal. The Economics major stood over the ball and only had shooting on his mind. His curled strike found the top corner of O'Keefe's goal and left the goalkeeper no chance.

Loyola had a lot more of the ball in the final 20 minutes, as the Maroon and White elected to sit back and protect their lead. Herley had a small opportunity with less than five minutes to go, but his header never gave senior goalkeeper Eric Axtman any trouble.

At the final whistle, Lafayette earned all three points and its second victory in Patriot League play.

Bohn and his group return to the pitch at 1 p.m. on Saturday as they travel to Annapolis, Md. to take on Navy.
 

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