BALTIMORE – Hannah Hoefs and Kaleigh Gallagher scored 2:23 apart in the opening half, as Loyola University Maryland overcame an early deficit to secure a vital 2-1 home victory over Lafayette on Saturday.

The teams entered tied for third in the Patriot League standings. The Greyhounds (6-6-2, 3-1-2) now have sole possession of second place with 11 points, while the Leopards (6-5-3, 2-2-2) slip down to sixth.

Loyola finished with a 16-12 lead in shots and a 7-2 edge in corner kicks, controlling possession for most of the contest after the first 10 minutes.

During that opening stretch, Lafayette grabbed a 1-0 lead, as Sophie Saldivar sent a shot from outside the box into the top left corner to put the visitors in front 6:51 into the contest. Five of the visitors' six shots in the opening half came prior to the 10-minute mark.

The Greyhounds quickly responded, as Hoefs stole a pass from the Lafayette backline in the 16th minute and fired a shot from 30 yards out over the head of retreating goalkeeper Maggie Pohl. Hoefs upped her Patriot League-leading goal total to seven; no Loyola player has scored more in a season since Rosy Hayes netted eight back in 2015.

Gillian Borton and Taylor DiMarco set up Gallagher's game winner a few minutes later. DiMarco sent in a cross from the left side, and Gallagher maneuvered around two defenders before beating Pohl on a low shot into the right corner for her first goal of 2019.

The Greyhounds had several chances to add a third tally in the early stages of the second half, with Sarah Bayer having an attempt blocked off the post and new goalie Natalie Neumann recording three saves after subbing in at the intermission.

On the other end, though, Loyola's backline limited chances throughout, with Paige Sim rarely threatened while finishing with five stops in goal. Lafayette's last shot on target came with 15 minutes remaining in regulation.

The Greyhounds earn their first victory over the Leopards since 2015, and they remain two points back of Navy (13-2-1, 4-1-1) for first place in the Patriot League standings.

Another big conference test awaits on Wednesday, as Loyola travels to a Bucknell squad which sits two spots back in a tie for fourth place with nine points in Patriot League play. Opening kickoff in that tilt is scheduled for 7 p.m.