EASTON, Pa. – Junior midfielder Samir Dishnica guided Lafayette over the line in a 1-0 win over Le Moyne on Wednesday night at Gummeson Grounds: Home of Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium. The Cheshire, Conn. native calmly converted his penalty in the 60^th minute, scoring his first collegiate goal.

The majority of the play was back and forth in the early going, but the first chance of the match fell to Le Moyne in the sixth minute. Jakob Priestman worked himself into shooting position, but his low-driven effort required a comfortable save from senior goalkeeper Eric Axtman.

Lafayette's first clear chance came in the 16^th minute. A Leopard midfielder served a ball into the box where senior defender Nicholas Liebich was waiting to pounce. The Boise, Idaho native nodded his effort on frame, but a Dolphins' defender did well to head the ball away from danger. Minutes later Dishnica found room at the top of the box and rifled a shot towards Wyatt Dupell's goal, but the goalkeeper made a quality save to his bottom left corner.

The hosts grew into the game more and more as the half wore on, winning back possession in dangerous areas. In the 44^th minute, the visitors won a penalty kick after a Lafayette defender made a poor tackle in the penalty area. Antonio Pagano stepped up to take the spot kick, but he rattled the crossbar with his strike and the score remained 0-0 at halftime.

Early into the second period, Lafayette won a free kick 35 yards from goal and Dishnica stood over the ball. His whipped service found the head of Liebich, but Dupell came to the rescue once again. The Dolphins' goalkeeper finished the outing with five stops.

The Leopards took the lead with a penalty in the 60^th minute. Sophomore midfielder Cade Maglione was driving with the ball towards Le Moyne's penalty area, before he was chopped down. Dishnica was given the responsibility from the spot and he coolly dispatched his effort, beating Dupell to his top left corner.

Six minutes later, Lafayette had another free kick in a dangerous position and Dishnica released a rocket that required an initial save from Dupell. The ball then fell to freshman midfielder Oliver Gordon, but the Brooklyn, N.Y. native sailed his shot over the bar.

The final 20 minutes of the match were physical, as both teams picked up two yellow cards. Le Moyne became much riskier as they looked for an equalizer, but Lafayette held strong at the back and earned its first win and clean sheet of 2025.

The Leopards return to the pitch at 6 p.m. on Saturday as they travel to Smithfield, R.I. to face Bryant.
 

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