WASHINGTON, DC -- Adam Rosen's goal in the 54th minute provided the only goal American would need as it defeated Lafayette, 1-0, in a Patriot League men's soccer game here on a sunny and breezy Saturday afternoon at Reeves Field in front of 385 spectators. It was the Eagles second straight league win, while Lafayette dropped its conference opener.

Neither team got much going in the first half, as both teams were feeling each other out. American led in shots in the period, 4-2, but neither team mounted a serious scoring threat.

The best chance of the half came when American's Kris Bertsch drove a ball which forced Lafayette keeper Jay Freedman to make a diving stop. The Leopards had a solid chance in the 34th minute when Jamie Mullarkey sent the ball into the goalmouth off a restart, but Eagle keeper Michael Behonick came off his line, and stifled the opportunity.

The pace of play picked up considerably in the second half as the teams combined for 16 total shots.

American (4-3-0, 2-0-0 PL) jumped on the board when Adam Rosen put home a deflected shot in the 54th minute. Eagle defender Jeff Kinney, a halftime substitution, hit a ball that deflected off a Lafayette defender and forced Freedman out of position.

The rebound went to a waiting Rosen, who was directly in front of the goal, and he deposited it in the back left side of the net. Rosen also scored the game-winner on Wednesday night when American beat Navy, 1-0, in its first-ever Patriot League contest.

"I am very pleased with the effort we put forth today," said American coach Todd West. "We did not come out strong early, but we did what we had to to win the game. Lafayette is an excellent team, and we know there is a strong possibility that we will face each other again at some point this season."

Lafayette (5-2-1, 0-1-0) almost tied the game in the 71st minute when Keith Evans sent a ball from the endline that hooked into the goalmouth and hit off the right post. With Behonick trapped in the goal, Eagle defender Larry McDonald had to clear the ball of the line.

Both keepers were excellent this afternoon, as Freedman made four saves for the Leopards, while Behonick made three stops for the Eagles. While American led in shots, 15-7, the contest was much closer than that would indicate.

American returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 3, when it hosts No. 12 Loyola at 4:00 p.m. at Reeves Field. The Eagles then return to Patriot League action next Sunday, Oct. 7, when they travel to Bucknell for a 1:00 p.m. match in Lewisburg, Pa.