LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA — Lafayette bounced back from an early deficit to edge Lehigh 2-1 on Wednesday evening, extending the Leopards' winning streak to two games. The home side weathered a sluggish first half before finding its rhythm after the break, with Nadia Zaffanella's 58th-minute goal proving the difference. The victory improved Lafayette's record to 5-7-6, while Lehigh fell to 3-11-3 in what marked the Mountain Hawks' third consecutive loss.
Lehigh struck first through an own goal in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on early pressure to take an unexpected 1-0 lead. The Mountain Hawks' early aggression caught Lafayette off-guard, but the Leopards refused to panic. Sophia Lis equalized for Lehigh in the 53rd minute with an assist from Cyndea Labissiere, momentarily shifting momentum back toward the visitors. That advantage lasted just five minutes. Zaffanella restored Lafayette's lead in the 58th minute with a finish assisted by Sofia Ruggiero, and the Leopards held firm down the stretch to secure the win.
The opening 45 minutes belonged largely to Lafayette despite trailing on the scoreboard. April McDonald and Katrina Santelli both tested Lehigh's defense with shots that sailed high, while Ava Murphy came close to breaking through with a chance that hit the woodwork. Lehigh's early goal seemed to settle the visitors, but Lafayette's possession and territorial advantage suggested an equalizer was inevitable. The Leopards controlled the tempo and limited Lehigh's opportunities, even as the Mountain Hawks' defense held firm.
Lafayette emerged from halftime with renewed purpose. The Leopards made three substitutions at the break and immediately pressed forward, creating multiple chances in quick succession. Lehigh's backline faced relentless pressure, and the visitors' goalkeeper made several important saves to keep the deficit at one. The breakthrough came when Lis capitalized on a Lehigh counter-attack, momentarily giving the Mountain Hawks hope. But Zaffanella's response just minutes later deflated any visiting momentum and essentially decided the contest.
The final 30 minutes saw Lehigh desperately searching for an equalizer. Aminah Baruwa and Faith Dobosiewicz both fired shots that went wide, while Cyndea Labissiere tested Lafayette's keeper from distance. Despite outshooting Lafayette 13-11 overall and 9-4 on target, Lehigh couldn't find the back of the net again. Lafayette's defense, particularly goalkeeper Heather Plowright with eight saves, stood firm when it mattered most.
Zaffanella's composure in the attacking third proved decisive for Lafayette. The midfielder's ability to finish under pressure, combined with Ruggiero's creative play in midfield, gave the Leopards the attacking edge they needed. For Lehigh, Labissiere's work rate and Lis's finishing touch kept the Mountain Hawks competitive, but it ultimately wasn't enough against a Lafayette side that found its rhythm when it counted.
Discipline issues emerged late for Lehigh, with Abby-Lee Sanogo and Dakota Russell both receiving yellow cards in the final minutes as frustration mounted. Lafayette's composure in managing the game's final stages reflected a team that has found some stability after a rocky stretch. The Leopards' two-game winning streak—following a 2-0 victory over Navy—suggests they may be turning a corner in conference play.
For Lehigh, the loss extends a troubling skid. The Mountain Hawks have now dropped three straight, including a 5-1 defeat at Princeton and a 4-0 loss to Boston University. Scoring remains a challenge for the visitors, who managed just one goal across these three matches. Lafayette's defense, meanwhile, has tightened considerably, allowing just one goal in their last two games.
Lafayette returns to action this weekend looking to build on its recent momentum, while Lehigh faces the challenge of stopping the bleeding against a challenging remaining schedule. The Leopards' ability to overcome an early setback and execute down the stretch suggests they have the resilience needed to compete in the Patriot League stretch run.