The American University men's soccer team fell to Lafayette, 2-0, in the Patriot League Championship on Sunday afternoon at Reeves Field. With the win, Lafayette claims the conference's NCAA Tournament bid while the Eagles suffer their fourth straight championship game setback.

Lafayette (9-7-4) had the early advantage in the game and were able to convert on a corner kick in the 20th minute. Sean Peckman took it and sent it to Kyle Scharfenberg, who was able to finish with the header from five yards out for the 1-0 lead.

American (11-6-2) had an opportunity to equalize in the 32nd minute. After a corner kick by Colin Seigfreid, a scramble in the middle of the box drew a foul on the Lafayette defense and a yellow card was given to Rob Bedson. The Eagles were awarded a penalty kick and Alassane Kane stepped up with the chance to tie the game, but Nathan McDonald came up with save to keep the Leopards up 1-0.

The Eagles closed out the half with three straight tries, but the Lafayette defense was able to come up with the stops to head into the half with the one-goal advantage.

Seigfreid and Dale McDonald registered back-to-back opportunities out of the break, but both attempts went just wide of the net. American had another chance in the 64th minute on a corner from Seigfreid. Cristobal Soto sent in the header but McDonald was able to come up with the save to preserve the lead for Lafayette.

The Leopards were able to take the 2-0 lead in the 67th minute. Peter Adubato was able to chip it over the head of Billy Knutsen into the open net for his second goal of the year.

Seth Goldman had a pair of opportunities to close out the game for the Eagles. His shot in the 68th minute went wide with his try in the 88th just off-target as the Leopards walked home with the title.

For the match, Lafayette held a slight 15-13 advantage in shots with a 9-2 margin in shots on goal. The Leopards also held a 7-3 edge in corner kicks. Knutsen tallied seven saves for the Eagles.

The win gives Lafayette its seventh Patriot League title while the Eagles suffer their fifth loss in the championship match in seven overall tries since joining the league in 2001. American claimed the Patriot League Championship in both 2001 and 2004 under Head Coach Todd West.

Patriot League All-Tournament Team
Nathan McDonald, Lafayette (MVP)
Alec Golini, Lafayette
Sean Peckham, Lafayette
Julian Plummer, Lafayette
Kyle Scharfenberg, Lafayette
Seth Goldman, American
Conor Osborne, American
Cristobal Soto, American
Collin Costello, Bucknell
Mayowa Alli, Bucknell
Patrick Letourneau, Colgate
Wade Martin, Colgate