Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh plays host to No. 4 Maryland Tuesday
10/11/2010 6:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's soccer team will take a break from Patriot League action on Tuesday to welcome national-powerhouse Maryland to the Ulrich Sports Complex at 7 p.m. The Terrapins (7-2-1, 3-1-1 ACC) are currently ranked fourth in the nation in the latest NSCAA poll and enter the match on a three-game winning streak.
Lehigh (4-4-2, 1-1-1 Patriot League) is coming off a scoreless draw at Navy on Saturday, earning a second straight shutout after locking down Lafayette, 1-0, on October 2. The Mountain Hawks are allowing a meager 0.90 goals per game and have not conceded a goal in over 256 consecutive minutes. The Terrapins have been equally stingy in the defensive end, recording six shutouts in 10 matches, including three straight entering Tuesday night.
Senior keeper Jonathan Nydell is tied for the Patriot League lead with five shutouts and owns a 0.86 goals against average for the Brown and White. Nydell's 39 saves are good for the fourth-most in the league, while his .812 save percentage ranks fourth among league netminders. Offensively, junior Joe Puleo leads the squad with four goals and eight points, while sophomore Austin Decker has two goals and four points.Lehigh has posted a 3-1-1 record at home this season with wins over Rutgers, Princeton and Lafayette. The Mountain Hawks have outscored their opponents by a 7-3 margin in those contests. Maryland owns a 2-1-1 road record with wins against Loyola (Md.) and Virginia Tech, a loss at No. 3 North Carolina and a draw at No. 5 Boston College.
The Terrapins boast the nation's top offensive attack, averaging 2.8 goals per game. Four players have scored four goals or more for Maryland, including Matt Kassel who has 15 points on five goals and five assists. Jason Herrick has also found the net on five occasions, while Patrick Mullins and Casey Townsend have each put away four goals. In net, goalkeeper Zac MacMath owns a 0.78 goals against average to go along with a .758 save percentage and six shutouts.
Maryland has defeated two teams ranked in the NSCAA top ten, including No. 2 Connecticut on October 5 and No. 9 Duke on October 1. Overall, the team has posted a 2-2-1 record against ranked opponents. The last time the Mountain Hawks faced an opponent ranked No. 4 or higher was in 2006 when Lehigh battled No. 1 Duke in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
Tickets for Tuesday's showdown are only $5; students and faculty with a valid Lehigh ID will be admitted free. Fans who can't make it can watch the game live on Lehighsports.com with broadcasters Steve Lomangino and Jeff Tourial calling the action from the Ulrich Sports Complex.
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Wednesday, October 29
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Wednesday, September 17
2025 Lehigh Men's Soccer Season Preview
Tuesday, August 19
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Tuesday, October 15
