Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh opens 2011 season Saturday vs. Stony Brook at 11 a.m.
8/26/2011 5:50:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - With Huricane Irene looming this weekend, the Lehigh men's soccer season opener against Stony Brook at the Ulrich Sports Complex has been pushed up from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m.
And after a grueling preseason camp and two exhibition games, the Lehigh men's soccer team is more than ready to get the season started.
"Stony Brook will be a well prepared, organized team with some pretty good, experienced players that we have to be aware of," said head coach Dean Koski, who is entering his 20th season at the helm for Lehigh. "We just need to focus on things we have to get better and hopefully whatever they bring, we can manage."
Lehigh is coming off consecutive years in which it finished second in the league and then fell in the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament. Lehigh returns eight starters from last season, including its top two points leaders – seniors Joe Puleo (nine points) and Neal Melchionni (eight points).
And after a grueling preseason camp and two exhibition games, the Lehigh men's soccer team is more than ready to get the season started.
"Stony Brook will be a well prepared, organized team with some pretty good, experienced players that we have to be aware of," said head coach Dean Koski, who is entering his 20th season at the helm for Lehigh. "We just need to focus on things we have to get better and hopefully whatever they bring, we can manage."
Lehigh is coming off consecutive years in which it finished second in the league and then fell in the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament. Lehigh returns eight starters from last season, including its top two points leaders – seniors Joe Puleo (nine points) and Neal Melchionni (eight points).
The Mountain Hawks were picked to finish fourth in the Patriot League preseason poll while senior back Kevin Strunk was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Strunk, the 2010 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, was part of a Mountain Hawks defense that allowed just 18 goals in 18 games last season, including eight shutouts.
It will be the second meeting between the clubs as Lehigh captured the first meeting, 1-0, in 2008. Lehigh has won its last three season openers and it will look to repeat that result on Saturday.
"It's always helpful to get started out on the right foot," said Koski. "The most important thing is we play well and whatever the result brings, we can build on the positives. We just have to make sure we are moving in the right direction."
The game can be seen live on Lehighsports.com
It will be the second meeting between the clubs as Lehigh captured the first meeting, 1-0, in 2008. Lehigh has won its last three season openers and it will look to repeat that result on Saturday.
"It's always helpful to get started out on the right foot," said Koski. "The most important thing is we play well and whatever the result brings, we can build on the positives. We just have to make sure we are moving in the right direction."
The game can be seen live on Lehighsports.com
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