Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh welcomes American in pivotal league matchup
10/21/2010 10:58:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Riding a two-game shutout streak, the Lehigh men's soccer team returns to action this Saturday when it hosts American at 7 p.m. The Mountain Hawks (6-5-2, 2-1-1 Patriot League) enter the weekend in a tie for third in the Patriot League standings, one game back of second-place American with three league contests remaining.
The Mountain Hawks defeated NJIT on Tuesday by a 1-0 score, earning their fourth shutout in the last five games. Junior Steven Avena netted his second career goal to fire Lehigh ahead inside of 40 minutes. Freshman Ciaran Nugent made five stops in net to blank the Highlanders in his first collegiate start.
Juniors Joe Puleo and Neal Melchionni lead Lehigh on the offensive front with eight and seven points, respectively. Sophomore Austin Decker has chipped in five points on two goals and an assist, while junior Kevin Strunk and freshman James Meyerkord each own three points. The Brown and White have been particularly efficient in the defensive end, conceding only 12 goals in 13 matches, including one goal in four league contests. Lehigh's seven shutouts are tied for the most in the Patriot League with Colgate. American holds a 6-6-1 overall record entering Saturday's game, including a 3-0-1 mark in the Patriot League. The Eagles have beaten Bucknell, Army and Lafayette, while playing to a scoreless draw vs. Navy in league action. Sophomore Alassane Kane leads the Patriot League with six goals and 13 points, while senior Jamie Davin boasts a league-best six assists. Junior Matt Makowski has started 12 games in goal and has posted a 1.13 goals against average to go along with three shutouts.
The Mountain Hawks will be seeking a bit of revenge on Saturday as American was the team that knocked Lehigh out of the 2009 Patriot League Tournament. After a 0-0 draw through regulation and overtime, the teams went to a shootout, after which the Eagles prevailed, 6-5. Each of the last two matches between the teams have ended 0-0, including the regular season contest at American last year. Lehigh has not scored in each of the last four matchups (0-2-2) and has not beaten American since a 4-0 triumph at the Ulrich Sports Complex in 2006. Overall, the Eagles lead the all-time series by a 9-3-3 margin since 1990.
Fans that can't make it on Saturday can watch the match live on Lehighsports.com. Live stats will also be available at gametime.
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