Leitner's Late Strike Lifts Fordham Past Lafayette in Bronx Thriller
Rams Forward Converts Crucial Chance with 11 Minutes Remaining to Claim Victory at Jack Coffey Field
BRONX, NY – Bennett Leitner's clinical finish in the 79th minute propelled Fordham to a 1-0 victory over Lafayette at Jack Coffey Field, as the Rams overcame a resilient Leopards defense in an absorbing tactical battle.
The match remained scoreless through 79 minutes of compelling action before Leitner finally broke the deadlock. The forward, who had entered as a substitute just 18 minutes earlier, rifled home from close range after Daniel D'Ippolito's perfectly weighted assist found him in the box. The goal came from Leitner's right foot, finding the lower right corner past Lafayette goalkeeper Eric Axtman to send the home crowd into raptures.
Fordham controlled much of the tempo throughout, outshooting Lafayette 15-12 and maintaining a slight edge in shots on target, 7-5. The Rams' attacking intent was evident from the opening whistle, with Daniel D'Ippolito orchestrating play from midfield and creating numerous opportunities. D'Ippolito finished with five shots and the decisive assist, constantly probing the Lafayette defense with his movement and vision.
The first half showcased both teams' defensive discipline, with neither side able to convert their chances. Fordham came closest through a series of efforts from Ede Gramberg, whose three shots kept the Lafayette backline on high alert. Luke Pompliano also tested Axtman early, but the Lafayette keeper stood tall when called upon.
Lafayette showed their attacking ambition after the break, with the introduction of Connor Deangelis and Nicolas Papadopoulos adding fresh energy to their forward line. The Leopards created their best opportunities in the final third of the match, with Max Fujimori particularly dangerous after coming off the bench. The substitute midfielder hammered a shot high and wide in the 84th minute during a frantic sequence that saw Lafayette fire five attempts in the closing stages.
The match's defining moment came through Fordham's tactical flexibility. Coach's decision to introduce Leitner in the 62nd minute proved inspired, as the forward's fresh legs and clinical finishing ability provided the cutting edge the Rams had been seeking. His goal was his only shot of the match, demonstrating remarkable efficiency when the opportunity arose.
Both goalkeepers delivered solid performances in a match where defensive organization took precedence. Axtman made six saves for Lafayette, including a crucial stop in the 20th minute, while Fordham's Tristan Stephani preserved his clean sheet with four saves of his own.
The physical nature of the contest was evident in the statistics, with Fordham committing 10 fouls to Lafayette's eight. Yellow cards were shown to Thomas Gray and Kamran Mojabi for the Rams, while Lafayette's Cade Maglione and Samir Dishnica were cautioned for persistent fouling and unsporting behavior respectively.
Lafayette's desperate late push nearly yielded an equalizer, as they peppered the Fordham goal with a flurry of attempts in the 89th minute. Griffin Feather, introduced as a late substitute, struck two blocked shots in quick succession, while Max Fujimori and Nicholas Liebich also saw efforts repelled by the resolute Rams defense.
The victory showcased Fordham's ability to grind out results when attacking fluency proved elusive, while Lafayette will rue their inability to capitalize on their late pressure despite matching their opponents' intensity throughout.
Key Players
- Bennett Leitner (Fordham) - Converted the match-winner with his only shot, demonstrating clinical finishing after entering as substitute - Daniel D'Ippolito (Fordham) - Orchestrated play with five shots and the decisive assist, constantly threatening Lafayette's defense - Eric Axtman (Lafayette) - Made six saves to keep his team competitive, including crucial stops throughout both halves