EASTON, Pa. – Forward
Nicolas Papadopoulos and midfielder
Samir Dishnica each snatched a goal in the Leopards' 2-1 victory over Fairfield on Saturday at Gummeson Grounds: Home of Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium. The Maroon and White found the back of the net twice in the first half en route to earning their second win of the 2025 campaign.
The first chance of the match fell to the hosts in the 12
th minute. Sophomore defender
Jackson Vajda had some room down the right flank, prior to serving a dangerous cross into the box. The Bethlehem, Pa. native's brilliant service bypassed two Fairfield defenders, finding Papadopoulos six yards out. The freshman only needed one touch to shoot, but his tame effort caused no trouble for Evan Chomow in goal.
Moments later the Leopards earned a long-throw opportunity, which Vajda took from the left side of the pitch. His hurl found senior captain
Nicholas Liebich in the box who flicked the ball towards the back post. Papadopoulos was ready to pounce, but Chomow reacted quickly and made the stop at his near post.
In the 16
th minute, senior captain
Eric Axtman was called into action. A Stags' defender played a long ball up towards Pipeloreoluwa Olanrewaju and the ball ended up falling kindly to the visitors. Olanrewaju released a rocket towards goal, but Axtman was equal to the task.
Dishnica opened the scoring in the 26
th minute. Junior defender
Cole Duschang had the ball in his defensive third when he spotted a good run from Martin. The Oreland, Pa. native outpaced his man down the right channel and squared a ball into the feet of Dishnica. The midfielder maneuvered the ball onto his left foot and calmly tucked the ball into the bottom right corner leaving Chomow no chance.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 34
th minute. A Fairfield defender stood over the ball in their defensive third, before making a poor back pass to Chomow. Papadopoulos was first to react to the error and punished the visitors with a two-touch finish to Chomow's left-hand side. The Limassol, Cyprus native's tally was his first in Maroon and White.
Fairfield reduced its 2-0 deficit thanks to a header by Owen Drummond in the 36
th minute. The Stags won a corner kick after a string of possession and Cameron Gerber was set to deliver for the visitors. His curled service found the head of Drummond at the near post and his header squeaked past Axtman to make it a 2-1 game at halftime.
The contest's second half was very chippy on both sides as five yellow cards and two red cards were issued, creating numerous stoppages in play. Sophomore midfielder
Cade Maglione had a good look at goal in the 48
th minute, but he struggled to keep the ball down after it fell to him at the Stags' back post.
In the 60
th minute, Lafayette was reduced to 10 men after a Leopard accumulated a second yellow card for time wasting. Fairfield only held a one-man advantage for eight minutes after a Stag committed a reckless challenge near midfield in the 68
th minute, resulting in a second yellow card and a sending off.
Axtman made a key stop in the 70
th minute. Alex Vaz picked the ball up 30 yards from the Harrisburg, Pa. native's goal, before he thought about shooting. The midfielder found a half yard of space and took a powerful shot that stung the palms of Axtman, but he made a crucial save at his top right corner.
Both sides created a handful of half chances down the stretch and battled tirelessly in midfield. Despite Fairfield's increased pressure in the final five minutes, Lafayette managed the game well and picked up its second win of the season.
The Leopards return home at 7 p.m. on Tuesday as LIU makes the trip to Easton. The match will also serve as Lafayette's Youth Soccer Night.
To keep up with the Lafayette men's soccer team, follow its social media pages.
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