Sunday, November 16
Lewisburg, PA
01:00 PM
Lehigh University
0
vs
2
Lafayette
Lehigh falls short in Patriot League final
11/16/2003 9:59:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Lewisburg, PA – For the second straight year, the Mountain Hawks reached the championship round of Patriot League play, and for the second straight year the team finished, well, second. Lafayette got a goal late in the first half, then added one for insurance midway through the second to take the Patriot League crown by a 2-0 final.
The Mountain Hawks were unable to gain the kind of ball control that saw them easily defeat top-seeded Bucknell on Friday, and Lafayette took advantage to take the lead in the first half. With a 1:30 left before halftime, Ralph Rapuano took a great feed from Ryan McCauhey and rocketed a shot towards the left side of the net to give the Leopards the lead. Lehigh's attempts at a comeback fell short, and then Matt Battiste added a goal off a free kick from Jamie Mullarkey to finish the scoring.
Head coach Dean Koski gave credit to Lafayette for the win. "We have to tip our hats to them," said Koski. "They obviously have figured out the game plan needed to beat Lehigh, and they did what it took today. I wish them the best of luck as they go on in the NCAA tournament."
The Mountain Hawk offense appeared to gain some life as the season ended, scoring three goals in a must-win game against Navy to make the Patriot League tourney, and then putting two behind the keeper in the second half to upset Bucknell. But Lafayette kept the Lehigh offense at bay for most of the afternoon on Sunday, as the Mountain Hawks only really had a few legitimate scoring opportunities.
Lafayette improves to 11-5-3, and will move on to the NCAA Tournament. Lehigh finishes the season 9-4-7.
The Mountain Hawks were unable to gain the kind of ball control that saw them easily defeat top-seeded Bucknell on Friday, and Lafayette took advantage to take the lead in the first half. With a 1:30 left before halftime, Ralph Rapuano took a great feed from Ryan McCauhey and rocketed a shot towards the left side of the net to give the Leopards the lead. Lehigh's attempts at a comeback fell short, and then Matt Battiste added a goal off a free kick from Jamie Mullarkey to finish the scoring.
Head coach Dean Koski gave credit to Lafayette for the win. "We have to tip our hats to them," said Koski. "They obviously have figured out the game plan needed to beat Lehigh, and they did what it took today. I wish them the best of luck as they go on in the NCAA tournament."
The Mountain Hawk offense appeared to gain some life as the season ended, scoring three goals in a must-win game against Navy to make the Patriot League tourney, and then putting two behind the keeper in the second half to upset Bucknell. But Lafayette kept the Lehigh offense at bay for most of the afternoon on Sunday, as the Mountain Hawks only really had a few legitimate scoring opportunities.
Lafayette improves to 11-5-3, and will move on to the NCAA Tournament. Lehigh finishes the season 9-4-7.
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