Lehigh University Athletics
Playing together resulted in much success
11/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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“I am really pleased with our season,” said head coach Dean Koski. “Not just by the results, but how the team came together and was committed to competing and achieving our goals as a group. As a coach, when you get a group to abide by a standard and then achieve that standard 90 percent of the time, it is very satisfying.”
During the regular season, the Mountain Hawks went on a 17 game streak in which they did not lose a game. For the entire month of October, the Brown and White only allowed one goal while scoring 15. Lehigh started to receive votes in the national polls starting the first week of October when with the College Soccer News poll. By the following week, Lehigh broke into not just the College Soccer News poll, but the official national poll done by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. In NSCAA poll, Lehigh ranked as high as No. 13.
In the postseason, Lehigh fell to Bucknell 4-2 in a shootout in the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament after playing to a 1-1 draw. However, that did not stop the Mountain Hawks from advancing into the NCAA Tournament as Lehigh not only received a bid to play in the 48-team tournament, but also was one of the 16 teams to earn a first-round bye. In the second round game against
“It was a wish come true to play another 2-3 weeks,” said senior co-captain Joe Verdi. “This senior class led the team to the furthest Lehigh had advanced in the tournament. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“Had we not made the tournament, we would have felt a level of disappointment in the season because we did not advance to the Patriot League finals and win—our only goal not accomplished during the season,” said Koski. “Anytime you make the tournament, let alone get a bye and advance to the sweet sixteen, it is a huge accomplishment and one that I am very proud of.”
Much of the team’s success has been attributed to the team’s desire to achieve the same goal and playing together as a team rather than a group of 11 individuals on the field.
“The biggest development of this team was their understanding of the greater strength they have in playing for the man next to you rather than yourself,” said Koski.
“From the team aspect, we were all on the same page and played for the common goal,” added Verdi. “We may not have been the most talented, but we were the best men’s soccer team when it came down to team chemistry and cohesiveness. There were no individuals on our team.”
As a result, Lehigh concluded the season 15-2-3, recording their most wins in program history while compiling a modern-day best .825 winning percentage. Lehigh scored 37 goals, while only allowing 10. For a good portion of the season, the Brown and White ranked among the nation’s top teams in the NCAA statistical standings, at one point holding the top spot in four of the five team categories. Lehigh presently holds the top spot in shutout percentage as the team recorded 13 shutouts in 20 games for a percentage of 0.65.
“I’m proud of the team, the seniors particularly, for their commitment and what was accomplished,” said Koski. “They made the season exciting and fun and reinforced what I love to do which is to teach the game of soccer and coach men.”
