TEANECK, N.J. – Despite limiting Lafayette to just three shots on goal, the Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team dropped its final non-conference game of the season 1-0 at University Stadium on Tuesday night.
 
The loss marks the conclusion of non-conference play for the Knights (2-7), who open up NEC action next Friday, October 7 against Robert Morris.
 
Both teams struggled to generate quality scoring chances on Tuesday night but Lafayette's leading scorer Evan Vare's goal in the 53^rd minute was the difference. Vare's score was his team-leading fifth of the season and helped the Leopards (4-5) win for the fourth time in their last five outings.
 
In his first action of the season, Lafayette goalkeeper Brian Ehrlich made five stops to earn the victory.
 
The Knights outshot the Leopards 15-10, including 5-3 in on-target tries but were unable to break through.
 
Sophomore midfielder Marcus Marshall (Monrovia, Liberia/Burlington) delivered the Knights' first two shots of the game -- one of which -- was a quality chance after he raced down the right sideline and into the box before sailing a shot wide of the frame.
 
At the 19-minute mark, the Leopards earned an opportunity to score but Fairleigh Dickinson goalkeeper Sebastian Ferreira (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) turned away Ben Marks' shot. Ferreira finished with two saves in the loss.
 
The two sides continued to trade defensive stops for the remainder of the first stanza and the game headed to intermission scoreless.
 
Vare netted the game-winner at the 52:05 mark when he corralled a clear attempt by the Knights and immediately fired a rocket from 15-yards out into the right side of the net.
 
With just under 20 minutes to go, the Knights earned a set piece, which Daniel Lasarte (Madrid, Spain/Defiance (Ohio)) sent into the box toward Leo Saiti (Teaneck N.J./Teaneck). Saiti outjumped the defense and headed the ball toward goal but it sailed just high over the crossbar.
 
The Knights' final scoring opportunity came with 1:10 remaining in regulation. Javen Palmer (London, England/Sedgehill) dribbled his way to the left side of the box and sent a cross to a charging Enver Caymaz (Pompton Lakes, N.J./Pompton Lakes). However, Caymaz's momentum prevented him from aiming his shot, which hooked wide-left of the net.
 
Coming off of the bench for the first time this season, Caymaz tied Lasarte with a team-high three shots in the contest.
 
The Knights open the NEC slate on Friday, October 7 at 2 p.m. against Robert Morris. Start time is set for 2 p.m. at University Stadium.