Lehigh University Athletics
Men's soccer to host Colgate in PL opener
9/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh will open up Patriot League play Saturday when they host the two-time defending league champion the Colgate Raiders. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the Ulrich Sports Complex.
“We’re always excited to begin Patriot League play,” head coach Dean Koski said. “Of course we would always like a little more time to work on some things, but we are going to lace’ em up and go out and have a good performance.”
The Mountain Hawks (3-2-2) have not suffered a loss in their last three games going 2-0-1. On Wednesday night Lehigh was able to come from behind and get a late goal by senior Adam Welch to earn a tie with Penn State 1-1.
Lehigh got its biggest win of the season last Friday night when it defeated the nationally ranked College of Charleston 3-2 in front of the home crowd on the Goodman Campus.
The Mountain Hawks have received plenty of praise this past week with three players being honored by the league and one of which earned national recognition.
Freshman forward Austin Decker was named to the College Soccer News’ team of the week on the same day he was named the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Week. Decker currently leads the Mountain Hawks with three goals and he scored his first career game-winning goal against College of Charleston.
Welch was named Defensive Player of the Week by the league and sophomore Joe Puleo earned Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The Raiders lead the all-time series with Lehigh 11-8-4 and they were able to clinch the top spot in the league tournament last season with a 2-0 over the Mountain Hawks last season.
Colgate (4-2), the preseason league favorites come into the game winning three of its last four. The Raiders are led by senior Alex Weekes and talented freshman Mike Reidy who are tied for the team lead with three goals apiece. Weekes was named to the 2009 Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy watch list which is soccer’s equivalent to the Heisman Trophy.
“We think their preseason rank is very legitimate,” Koski said. “They are very sound fundamentally and they have no real weaknesses. They are going to prove to be a good challenge.”
Lehigh is welcoming back all men’s soccer alumni this Saturday. A pre-game event will take place at the Mulvihill Golf Learning Center on Goodman Campus from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. before the game. All alumni and friends are invited to attend and cost is free. Food, refreshments, and the driving range will be available for this event. Click on the link above to register or email Travis Spencer at trs305@lehigh.edu
Fans can check out Lehighsports.com for live video and commentary of the game provided by Mike Lederer and Matt Abramowitz.
