November 6, 1999

Senior Ryan Atwood scored two minutes into the second overtime session to lift Lafayette to a 2-1 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday in the opening round of the Patriot League Men's Soccer Tournament. The win by fourth-seeded Lafayette over No. 1 seed Holy Cross advanced the Leopards to the Patriot League Championship game on Sunday versus Navy.

Holy Cross opened the game with a quick score, at 3:30 when freshman Matt Ney took a long clearing pass from Pat Montgomery and scored just under the crossbar.

Lafayette didn't waste much time tying the score, as freshman John Kightlinger (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) scored on a header fed in by All-Patriot League selection Jake Ross (Pottersville, NJ/Pingry School). The equalizing goal came at 8:09, under five minutes after Holy Cross' score.

Neither team scored in the second half, forcing the game into overtime. Two minutes and 37 seconds into the second 15-minute overtime session Atwood put an end to the suspense, scoring on a direct kick on the right sideline from 45 yards out. Atwood hooked the ball just over goalie Chuck Chiesa for the game-winner.

All-Patriot League goalie Craig Schroeder (Princeton, NJ/Pingry School) earned the win for Lafayette, recording four saves while allowing just one goal.

The victory allows Lafayette to face No. 2 seed Navy in the Patriot League Tournament final on Sunday at 1 p.m. Navy advanced to the title game with a 3-1 win over No. 3 seed Bucknell on Saturday.