Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh heads to NJIT for non-league showdown
10/18/2010 6:17:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa – The Lehigh men's soccer team will pause from league play on Tuesday when they travel to Newark, N.J. for a matchup against NJIT at 7 p.m. The Mountain Hawks (5-5-2) have posted three shutouts in their last four games, including a 2-0 effort against Holy Cross last weekend. The Brown and White have posted a 3-4-1 record in non-league matchups this season.
Junior Neal Melchionni provided the offensive spark against Holy Cross, netting both goals in the second half to give Lehigh its second Patriot League victory (2-1-1) of the season. Melchionni hammered home a cross from senior Matt Thaeder in the 51st minute to put Lehigh on the board and added an insurance tally 23 minutes later off a feed from sophomore Austin Decker. Melchionni's two-goal effort, the first of his career, netted him College Soccer News National Team of the Week recognition on Monday.
Lehigh's stout defense, backed by senior keeper Jonathan Nydell, has allowed only 12 goals in 12 games this season, including just one goal in four league matches. Nydell is tied for the Patriot League lead with six shutouts and is tied for third with a .797 save percentage. The Washington, D.C. native owns a 0.97 goals against average in 12 starts and has posted a remarkable 0.24 goals against in four league games. The Highlanders enter Tuesday's contest with a 3-8 overall record, claiming victories over Army, Albany and Rutgers. Jack McVey has registered a team-best five goals and 10 points. Rahim Stennett and Nils Warfving each have three goals for NJIT, while keeper John Ricketti has posted a 2.27 goals against average to go along with one shutout.
The Mountain Hawks own a 3-4-1 record against non-league opponents this season. Lehigh defeated Rutgers, Princeton and Furman in September, while falling to Fordham, Towson and the College of Charleston. The Brown and White played to a scoreless draw vs. La Salle and, most recently, fell to No. 4 Maryland. Following the match at NJIT, Lehigh will have one more non-league matchup on October 27 at Yale.
Lehigh has faced NJIT only once in the past, taking down the Highlanders by a 2-1 score at the Ulrich Sports Complex last season. Jesse Schram and James Graf netted for the Brown and White and Jordie Ciuffetelli provided two assists in the victory. The Mountain Hawks held a 24-7 advantage in shots in the match.
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