Lehigh University
Holy Cross
Men's soccer blanks Holy Cross 3-0
10/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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WORCESTER, Mass. – The Lehigh men’s soccer team came out strong Saturday night and didnt let up as it defeated Holy Cross 3-0. The three goals for the Mountain Hawks are the most the team has scored since defeating College of Charleston on September 18. Junior keeper Jonathan Nydell picked up his second shutout of the season. With the win Lehigh improves its record to 7-5-2 on the season.
“We got in late last night and this has always been a tough place to play,” head coach Dean Koski said. “We had to wait around today and the guys did a good job of being prepared and coming out energized. The seniors are really putting a stamp on the team and I am happy for them.”
Sophomore Daniel Odenwelder scored his first career-goal in the 20th minute and it was all Lehigh needed as the Brown and White put the clamps down defensively to blank Holy Cross. The Mountain Hawks finished the first half with eight total shots and they held the Crusaders to zero.
Junior captain James Graf added an insurance goal in the 67th minute to give him a goal in two consecutive games.
The Mountain Hawks sealed the game when sophomore Neal Melchionni scored his first goal of the season in the 80th minute. He was setup by senior Adam Welch who received a great ball from classmate Adam Gazda to give Lehigh its best goal of the night.
“Scoring the three goals tonight was good for the team,” Koski said. “I am proud of them.”
Lehigh finished the game with a 16-3 advantage in shots and after giving up two goals in its last league game the Mountain Hawk defense really stepped up tonight.
“The back five and Jon did a good job working together tonight,” Koski said. “They really managed the game well, but I also have to give credit to our midfielders who did a great job of tracking their midfielders all game.”
From here on out every game is important for the Mountain Hawks and getting a victory was a big step in the right direction.
“I think it is an important win to get us back on the right track,” Koski said. “To pick up three points on the road and to bring us to 2-2 in the Patriot League really gives us some momentum moving forward. This was an important result to steer us in the right direction.”
The Mountain Hawks are back on the road next Saturday afternoon when they face American at 3 p.m.
