Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh heads to Patriot League Tournament this weekend
11/11/2010 10:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Men's Soccer: Patriot League Tournament Preview
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The second-seeded Lehigh men's soccer team begins its postseason quest this weekend when it faces No. 3 American in the Patriot League Semifinals on Friday at 8 p.m. That game follows top seed and host Colgate against No. 4 Bucknell. The Mountain Hawks are vying for their first Patriot League Tournament Championship since 2000 and first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2006.
The Mountain Hawks finished the regular season with an 8-7-2 overall record, 4-2-1 in Patriot League play, while the Eagles are 6-8-3 overall and 3-2-2 in the league.
Despite not winning the tournament championship in 10 years, Lehigh did win the regular season league title in 2006, which also marked its last NCAA Tournament appearance. It did advance to the title game from 2002-04, but fell to Holy Cross, Lafayette and American in those three seasons.
This marks the second straight season that Lehigh has qualified for the Patriot League Tournament. After dropping the league opener at Colgate, the Mountain Hawks responded by posting a 4-0-1 record over their next five league games. Lehigh finished the season in sole possession of second place with 13 points, two ahead of American and Bucknell, who tied for third.
Three Mountain Hawks were honored for their strong seasons on Tuesday as junior Kevin Strunk became Lehigh's second straight Patriot League Defensive Player of the year, while sophomore Austin Decker and senior James Graf were also named to the All-Patriot League Second Team. A day later, senior goalkeeper Jonathan Nydell was named to the All-Academic Team as well. He has enjoyed a sensational career on the field and in the classroom, where he owns a 3.36 GPA as an Engineering Physics major and Spanish minor.
Lehigh and American faced one another on Oct. 23, a 2-1 Mountain Hawk victory. After the Eagles score less than a minute into the game, Lehigh bounced back with senior James Graf's second-half header accounting for the game-winning goal.
Lehigh and American faced one another on Oct. 23, a 2-1 Mountain Hawk victory. After the Eagles score less than a minute into the game, Lehigh bounced back with senior James Graf's second-half header accounting for the game-winning goal.
Despite Lehigh's win, American still leads the all-time series, 9-4-3. The teams have met three times in the Patriot League Tournament, with the Eagles winning one, with two others finishing in a tie before penalty kicks determined who advanced.
After a strong start to the season, American has struggled of late, finishing the season with an 0-3-3 record. Leading the offense is Alassane Kane with 13 points behind six goals and an assist, while Jamie Davin has 12 (three goals, six assists) and Eli Dennis has five (one goal three assists). Goalkeeper and Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year Matt Makowski owns a strong 1.09 GAA and .798 save percentage on the season. Billy Knutsen has also started twice and posted a dazzling 0.42 GAA and .917 save percentage.
Should the Mountain Hawks win on Friday, they would face either Colgate or Bucknell in the Patriot League Championship Game on Sunday with the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line. Kickoff for the championship match is set for 1 p.m. Lehigh dropped its Patriot League opener to the Raiders, 1-0, while succumbing to the Bison in overtime last Saturday.
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