Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh announces 2010 men's soccer schedule
6/2/2010 8:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head coach Dean Koski has announced the Mountain Hawks 2010 men’s soccer schedule, which includes nine home dates, including three home matches with teams that qualified for last year’s NCAA Tournament. The Mountain Hawks are looking to build upon a 9-5-3 season that saw the program return to the Patriot League tournament after a two year absence.
“We really like the schedule we’ve put together this year,” explained Koski, who enters his 19th season. We will continue to be challenged, in and out of the league. We will face one of our toughest non-league schedules, and as always, we expect the Patriot League to be very competitive.”
Lehigh will open the 2010 season with four straight home games, beginning September 1 when Rutgers visits the Ulrich Sports Complex. A date with Fordham follows on September 4, while the Mountain Hawks will face their first of three NCAA Tournament teams when the Princeton Tigers visit. The home stand concludes with a game against La Salle September 10.
The Mountain Hawks take to the road for the first time on September 12 when they travel to Towson. The following weekend Lehigh will head to South Carolina for a tournament hosted by College of Charleston. Lehigh will face the host Cougars on Friday, September 17 before taking on the Furman Paladins two days later.
“Every year we try to add a new team to our schedule,” said Koski. “Going to South Carolina to play Furman at the College of Charleston will provide a great opportunity for our program.”
The end of a four-game road trip marks the start of the Patriot League season as the Mountain Hawks close out September at Colgate on the 24th.
Lehigh opens up October at home against rival Lafayette on October 2. The Mountain Hawks will be looking to avenge a 1-0 overtime loss to their rivals last year in Easton.
The third weekend of league play sends Lehigh to Navy on October 9, before the Mountain Hawks return home for two games, highlighted by a midweek clash with ACC-member Maryland on October 12. Lehigh traveled to College Park in 2007 and 2008 losing 2-1 heartbreakers each time. The Terrapins won the national championship in 2008 and will be making their first-ever trip to Bethlehem.
“We’re delighted to have Maryland come up to our field for the first time” said Koski. “It’s a huge opportunity for Lehigh, and it will be great to play a program of Maryland’s caliber in our stadium.”
The short home stand concludes with a Patriot League tilt against Holy Cross on October 16.
After a midweek contest at NJIT on October 19 Lehigh hosts American in a rematch of last season’s Patriot League semifinals, where the Eagles advanced on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Lehigh’s final regular-season road trip sends the Mountain Hawks to Yale on October 27 and Army on Halloween.
The regular season comes to an end when defending Patriot League champion Bucknell visits the Ulrich Sports Complex on November 6.
Led by seniors James Graf, Jonathan Nydell and Matt Thaeder, Lehigh will open its season on Wednesday, September 1 when the Mountain Hawks host Rutgers at the Ulrich Sports Complex, with game time set for 7 p.m.
