Sept. 7, 2008

Photo Gallery

Box Score

EASTON, Pa. - For the second time this season the Lafayette men's soccer team shut out a ranked opponent, this time playing No. 16 Northwestern to a scoreless tie on the final day of the Lafayette Classic. The Leopards out-shot the Wildcats by a 15-12 margin and goalie Andrew Pianko made a season-high eight saves, including five in the second half, for his second shutout of the season.

Lafayette's (1-2-1) offense spent significant time on the attack while the defense stifled Northwestern, holding the Wildcats without a shot until 24:09 remained in the opening half. Northwestern's Eamon O'Neill had a clear look at the goal for his team's first shot of the game but it hit off the lower left post to keep the game scoreless.

Pianko made a sprawling stop on a shot by Kevin Valenta and Lafayette quickly got the ball back into Northwestern territory. The Leopards had two chances to score as B.J. Glenn's shot sailed wide and Nick Leigh collected the rebound but his shot went high. With 2:41 remaining, Chip Aronica and Jake Johnson had looks at the goal but both were off the mark and it remained scoreless heading into halftime.

O'Neill had his second shot of the day following a Lafayette penalty but Pianko made his second stop of the match at 26:47. O'Neill fired off another shot that Pianko again stopped and the Leopard goalie made yet another diving save on a shot by Mark Blades at 19:05.

There was a flurry of Lafayette shots in the final minute of regulation, including back-to-back shots by Glenn and Steve Ference. Regulation ended with a shot by Aronica that was saved by Northwestern goalie Misha Rosenthal.

There were just three combined shots in the first overtime period including one by Kenn Stearns that went wide. Pianko another great save with 2:17 on the clock in the second overtime to preserve the shutout as the game ended in a scoreless tie.

The Leopards return to action next weekend at the Duquesne Tournament on Friday and Sunday. They will face Richmond at 7 p.m. on Friday and Duquesne at 12 p.m. on Sunday.

Postgame Notes:
- This marked the first-ever meeting between Lafayette and Northwestern.
- The Wildcats were held without a goal for the first time this season.
- Lafayette is now 11-3-1 all-time in the Lafayette Soccer Classic.
- The Leopards welcomed back two former coaches on Sunday. Northwestern head coach Tim Lenahan was the Leopard head coach from 1998-2000 and Wildcat assistant Michael Bonelli served two years as an assistant under current Lafayette head coach Dennis Bohn.

All-Tournament Team:
Northwestern (First):
Piero Bellizzi (MVP)
Tyler Voigt
Mark Blades
Matt Eliason

Temple (Second):
J.T. Noone
Francois Sagna
Kenechukwu Nwanah

Iona (Third):
Giovanni Destasio
Mario Aceto

Lafayette (Fourth):
Chip Aronica
Stephen Macurdy