Lehigh University Athletics
O'Reilly steps in with award winning play
11/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Bethlehem, PA - Freshman defender John O’Reilly was named the Patriot League Freshman of the Week for his efforts in Lehigh’s 3-1 victory over Navy on Saturday night that propelled the Mountain Hawks into the Patriot League Tournament. O’Reilly has been called upon of late to step in for his injured Mountain Hawk teammates, and has done a more than adequate job.
O’Reilly and the Mountain Hawk defense held Navy to just five shots on Saturday night, and helped set up numerous offensive opportunities, which translated into goals, and eventually the big win. Head Coach Dean Koski is excited with the way the freshman from Arlington, MA, has been playing of late. “This is a deserved honor and distinction for John. He has stepped in for us the last two games, and has played very well, while filling in for his injured teammates, senior Doug Cusick and freshman Joe Verdi.”
The Mountain Hawks are ranked first in the Patriot League in three different defensive categories, including goals allowed (12), goals allowed per game (0.67) and shutouts (9). The nine shutouts ties a school record and the 0.67 goals against average is on pace to break the school record of 0.75 set just last season.
Lehigh, ranked tenth in the Mid-Atlantic Region, will continue its season on Friday in the Patriot League Tournament, when the fourth seeded Mountain Hawks take on the first seed and host school Bucknell in Lewisburg. Game time is set for 1:30. The two teams played earlier this season and finished the match in a 2-2 tie.
