Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh set for showdown with American in PLT
11/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men’s soccer team will be heading back to Lewisburg, Pa. this Friday, but this time it will be for a first round match-up with American in the Patriot League Tournament. The Mountain Hawks made the trip to Bucknell last Friday with the opportunity to clinch a post season berth and the Brown and White didn’t leave disappointed. Lehigh defeated the first place Bison 2-1 in overtime when senior Adam Welch headed one past the Bucknell keeper. Lehigh finished the regular season at 9-5-3 and 4-2-1 in league play.
“Playing at Bucknell again helps because we’re familiar with the process of going down there,” head coach Dean Koski said. “The pressure isn’t there because we don’t have to host or play against the host.”
The Mountain Hawks were able to get on the board first against Bucknell as junior James Graf took a pass from senior Adam Gazda in the 51st minute and headed it in. The Bison were able to get the equalizer late in the game when freshman Brendan Bergdorf scored his seventh goal of the season. Welch ended the game one minute into the second overtime to tie him with freshman Austin Decker for the team lead with five goals.
For their great performances this season four Mountain Hawks were honored by the Patriot League on Tuesday. Adam Welch was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and he becomes the second Lehigh player to win the award (John O’Reilly 2006). He was also named to the First Team All-League along with classmate Adam Gazda. Junior James Graf and senior Jesse Schram were named to the second team.
Welch leads the Mountain Hawks with 15 points on the season followed by Gadza with 13 points and his seven assists are second in the Patriot League.
American (9-6-2) comes into the weekend on a three-game losing streak. The Eagles, who were in first place for most of the season, are led by junior Daniel Shannon who has four goals and five assists for 13 points.
Lehigh and American battled to a 0-0 tie on October 24, and the weather had a huge impact on the game.
“Neither team had a fair look because of the weather,” Koski said. “It’s like the first time we’re playing each other. American’s a good team, that is reasonably experienced and we consider them one of the best teams in the conference.”
Lehigh has had a good week of practice and the team is ready to kick things off. “Our guys are looking forward to playing this weekend,” Koski said. “It should be good conditions to play in and we’re coming in reasonably healthy. We’ve had a week to prepare and we have some momentum. We’re excited to be in the playoffs, but we’re not looking beyond American.”
Friday’s game gets underway at 8:00 p.m. Check Lehighsports.com for the latest news and results surrounding the men’s soccer team.
