The men’s soccer team scored three first-half goals on Saturday on their way to a 4-2 victory over Lafayette at Ridley Athletic Complex. The Greyhounds are now tied for second in the Patriot League with a 3-1 conference record (4-6 overall). Lafayette’s first conference loss of the season dropped them to 3-1 in the Patriot League and 7-3-1 overall.

Barry Sharifi ’20 scored twice for the Hounds, while Brian Saramago ’20 contributed two assists. Daniel Osuji ‘23 and Josh Fawole ’20 both scored their second goals of the season. Matt Dabrowski ’20 made his second start of the season in goal, tallying two saves. 

The scoring began in the 29th minute when Osuji leaped above the crowd to head in a free kick by Justin Ingram ’21. Five minutes later, a smooth back-foot pass from Saramago to Sharifi allowed Sharifi to beat goalie Alex Sutton in a one-on-one situation. 

Lafayette bounced back quickly with a header from James Gibson in the 37th minute but made a crucial mistake seconds later. Fawole drew a foul in the box, which led to Sharifi blasting a penalty kick past Sutton to make the score 3-1.

The scoring subsided for most of the second half, but Lafayette got within one goal of Loyola in the 76th minute off the foot of Sebastian Varela. The Loyola offense produced a quick response once again, however, as Saramago sent a cross into the box, which Fawole buried at 78:13. 

Fawole’s goal proved to be the final scoring opportunity for either side as the Hounds held on for a 4-2 victory.

Photo Courtesy of Loyola Athletics.