Easton, Pa. – The Sacred Heart University football team suffered its fifth defeat of the season on Saturday afternoon, falling on the road to the Lafayette Leopards by a final score of 31-17. 
 
Records:
Sacred Heart (3-5)
Lafayette (4-3)
 
Top Performers:
Offense – 
John Michalski: Passing (13-of-26, 144 yards) | Rushing (14 attempts, 96 yards)
Jalen Madison: Rushing (17 attempts, 92 yards) | Receiving (2 receptions, 9 yards) | 2 touchdowns
Payton Rhoades: 4 receptions | 32 yards
 
Defense – 
Myles Talley: 10 tackles | 0.5-1 TFL/Yds
Maximus Mongelli: 9 tackles | 1.0-5 TFL/yds
 
How it Happened:
The Leopards controlled the opening quarter, as the hosts outscored the Pioneers, 14-7, for the early lead. Lafayette struck first at the 8:44 mark when Jamar Curtis rushed up the middle for the one-yard touchdown, capping a 12-play, 70-yard drive.
 
Four minutes later, the Pioneers evened the score 7-7 as Jalen Madison recorded his first of two touchdowns of the day on a first and six at the LAF six-yard line. Matt Kling then topped the scoring with the extra point attempt, his 12th of the season.
 
Lafayette responded shortly after, with less than two minutes to go, with another rushing touchdown, this time from Troy Bruce, who ran for five yards for the six points.
 
Like the first, the Leopards started the second quarter by scoring first, taking a 21-7 lead following Curtis's second touchdown of the afternoon.
 
Less than five minutes later, the Pioneers showed their resilience by marching up the field after starting on the SHU22. They put the ball in the hands of Madison, who battled through defenders and found the outside for the 27-yard touchdown. With his second touchdown of the game, Madison now leads the team in touchdowns this season with five.
 
Sacred Heart's defense continued to be the backbone of this game and forced the Leopards to go for the three points after being stopped at the SHU six-yard line with 1:51 left in the half. 
 
During the next two drives, neither team was able to add more points to the scoreboard, and the Leopards remained ahead, 24-14, at the half. 
 
A defensive battle between the Pioneers and Leopards was evident in the third quarter. The visitors held the hosts scoreless, while SHU capitalized on a 42-yard field goal from Matt Kling to trim the deficit to seven, 24-17.
 
Unfortunately, Lafayette controlled the narrative in the fourth quarter by keeping the Pioneers off the board, forcing a fumble and interception of a John Michalski pass to secure the home victory. 
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers are now looking forward to their next challenge. They will return to Campus Field on Saturday, Oct. 25, for an afternoon tilt with the Mercyhurst Lakers. Kick-off is scheduled for noon in Fairfield, Conn.