WASHINGTON, D.C. – In what many would call the Patriot League's match of the year, Lafayette men's soccer clinched its second Patriot League Championship appearance in three years on Tuesday at Reeves Field. The No. 6 Leopards captured a 3-2 victory over top-seeded American thanks to goals by sophomore defender
Joseph Lee and two by junior midfielder
Samir Dishnica.
With Tuesday's semifinal win, the Maroon and White now prepare to take on archrival Lehigh in the Patriot League Championship at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Ulrich Sports Complex.
The Eagles came out of the gate with intensity, creating early stress for the Maroon and White's back line. In the 13
th minute, they nearly opened the scoring. Mustapha Sowe won a free kick in a dangerous position and Sebastian Garces stood over the ball. The midfielder whipped a brilliant ball into the box that found Patriot League Midfielder of the Year, Troy Elgersma, but his half volley veered wide of the target.
Patryk Rojek had a half chance in the 35
th minute, but as the forward went to shoot senior captain
Nicholas Liebich made a crucial block. Fellow captain
Eric Axtman then sprung off his line and smothered any remaining danger.
Dishnica had Lafayette's best chance of the first half in the 41
st minute. The midfielder's initial left-footed shot from 20 yards out was blocked, but the ball fell to him again kindly. The Cheshire, Conn. native maneuvered the ball onto his right foot, but dragged his shot just wide of the goal on his weaker right foot.
After 45 minutes had expired in Washington, D.C., both sides were level at the break (0-0).
The second half of play was worth weathering the cold and windy conditions. Both sides showcased intense physicality as they battled for the match-winning goal. American was applying pressure in the opening 10 minutes, but it was the Leopards who struck first in the 67
th minute.
Lafayette had won a free kick near midfield and Dishnica was set to serve the ball into the Eagles' box. His floated service was met by a rising Liebich who cleverly headed the ball back across goal. Lee was first to react and his calm finish under duress left goalkeeper Matthew Tibbetts no chance.
Pandemonium ensued seconds later as head coach
Dennis Bohn's side doubled its advantage (68
th minute). American turned the ball over in its own half and the Leopards immediately looked to go forward. The ball made its way to freshman
Nicolas Papadopoulos who combined well with Dishnica to grant him a shooting opportunity. The Economics major had to slide to get his shot away, but his strike was perfectly placed, powerfully beating Tibbetts at his near post.
The hosts found their way onto the scoresheet twice in the dying embers of the contest. The Leopards were controversially penalized with giving away penalty kicks in the 87
th and 89
th minute. Elgersma stepped up and calmly dispatched both spot kicks to tie things up at two goals apiece to conclude regulation.
It only took a minute and 54 seconds for the Maroon and White to seal their fate in the title match. Lee had won a free kick in Lafayette's half and Axtman was ready to deliver the ball into American's penalty area. As the ball traveled, Liebich fought for position and was brought down by an Eagle. After the referee went to VAR (video assistant referee), the Leopards were awarded a penalty kick.
Dishnica stepped up to the spot and took his opportunity brilliantly, slotting the ball past Tibbetts and etching his name in program history.
Axtman's performance in between the pipes was another key piece in the victory. The Harrisburg, Pa. native notched five saves and punched away countless crosses from American's stout offense.
To keep up with the Lafayette men's soccer program, follow its social media pages.
X/@Lafayette_MSOC | Instagram/@lafayette_msoc | Facebook/GoLeopards
