Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh opens Patriot League schedule at Bucknell Saturday
9/23/2011 3:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Following a strong start to the season, the Lehigh men's soccer team will begin its Patriot league slate at Bucknell on Saturday, with kickoff slated for 4 p.m. After a 0-0 draw at La Salle on Tuesday, the Mountain Hawks (3-1-3) look to extend their unbeaten streak to six and open their league schedule on a high note against the defending Patriot League Champion Bison.
Saturday's showdown marks the fourth-ranked team in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Rankings, Lehigh, against No. 5 Bucknell. This also marks the first time since 2008 that the Mountain Hawks haven't faced Colgate in their league opener.
Tuesday's game against the Explorers ended with no goals by either team, despite 15 Lehigh shots. The Mountain Hawks' defense posted its third straight shutout, and sophomore goalkeeper Ciaran Nugent made three saves for his fifth shutout of the season. Nugent entered Tuesday's game ranked third in the nation in save percentage, which now stands at .944.
Seniors Joe Puleo, Neal Melchionni and Kevin Strunk each had two shots on goal Tuesday to account for all but one of Lehigh's seven shots on goal. Five Lehigh players had at least two shots, most of which came in the second half and overtime. The Mountain Hawks ended up outshooting La Salle, 5-2, in the overtimes, while taking six shots in the second half and four in the first.
Saturday's Patriot league opener will mark Lehigh's 55th meeting with Bucknell since 1960, with a tight 23-23-8 all-time record. Lehigh and Bucknell first met as Patriot League foes in 1990, playing a total of 25 games in 20 years with Lehigh maintaining a 14-7-4 edge over the Bison during that span. Bucknell enters Saturday's game with a 5-3 record, defeating Saint Francis (Pa.), La Salle, Saint Joseph's, Monmouth and Drexel, and falling to Binghamton, Indiana and Notre Dame.
Sophomore Mayowa Alli currently leads the Bison team with 14 points (six goals, two assists). On Monday, Mayowa received his second Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week award in the last three weeks. Senior Luke Joyner and junior Brendan Burgdorf have each totaled six points this season, scoring two goals and dishing two assists apiece. Senior Tommy Caso leads the way in goal, with a .714 save percentage and a 1.09 GAA. Caso was also honored Monday as Goalkeeper of the Week after achieving his 15th and 16th career shutouts.
The Mountain Hawks will continue with their Patriot League schedule the following Saturday when they host Colgate at 4 p.m. at the Ulrich Sports Complex.
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