Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh men’s soccer seniors reflect on careers
10/30/2015 8:38:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's soccer senior class of seven has certainly made its mark on the program. This group of seven has helped guide Lehigh to 20 wins in the last two season and shown that success in athletics and academics are not exclusive as the seven have a combined grade point average of 3.15. The seven seniors look to lead Lehigh to its second-straight postseason in hopes of securing the Patriot League crown.
With Senior Night set for Saturday against Bucknell, Lehighsports.com caught up with the seven seniors to reflect on their Lehigh careers.
#0 Everett McCord
A true team player, McCord has been the consummate teammate whose positive energy and support has been crucial to the team's morale. He is regarded as the team's 12th man and has the admiration and respect of his teammates and coaches. His success in the classroom as a Mechanical Engineering major has earned him a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll member.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
EM: Beating Penn State my freshman year is definitely a great memory. Penn State was receiving top 25 votes at the time and Matt Weaver ended up scoring with 57 seconds left to give us the 1-0 win. It was absolutely crazy and we ended up beating the eventual Big Ten Regular Season Champs which was awesome. A close second is definitely going undefeated in Italian League my sophomore year and ending the season on a 10-0 victory, the first Italian League shutout in the history of Lehigh Men's Soccer, which is a pretty big deal.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
EM: The seniors and I all have a great relationship. They are some of my best friends and I can see these friendships going the distance. We have been through a lot in our careers considering the results we had our first two years, but I think it says a lot about each of the guys that we were able to turn our fortunes around and have the kind of success we had last year and are having so far this year. The tough times brought us close together and really strengthened the relationship we have with one another, and I really think that has shown in our success over the past two years.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
EM: It really is surreal. While I haven't exactly had the most prolific career in the history of the program, it was still great to be a part of the team and I know I am going to miss that feeling. Being a part of this program was one of the best decisions I have made to this date, so knowing that is coming to an end is really disappointing.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
EM: I am really just going to miss playing the game I have loved for as long as I can remember. I have played competitive soccer since the ripe young age of four, so it is going to be very strange for me to step away from that. I am going to especially miss game days. There is nothing better than a Saturday night game on Ulrich in my opinion, and I am definitely going to miss being a part of that.
What are your postgraduate plans?
EM: As of now I am planning on working for John Moriarity and Associates of Virginia, which is a General Contractor based in the DC area. I will be working in the Construction Management field focusing mainly on high-rise apartment buildings, hotels, and other similar projects.
#2 Ryan Bertrando
A Financial Engineering major from Lititz, Pa., Bertrando has been a key players since he stepped foot on campus, seeing action in 54 games and making over 40 starts. Bertrando began his career by playing 90+ minutes in ten contests as a freshman and recorded six points behind two goals and two assists as a junior. A true student-athlete, Bertrando is a two-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll member.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
RB: My favorite Lehigh Soccer memory is probably when we clinched a playoff position last year. We struggled to get results my first two years, so it was really gratifying to make the playoffs at that point.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
RB: For four years, I've spent virtually every moment of my life with someone on the team. From practice to rooming to my social life, these guys have always been around and we've become really great friends. We will take these relationships with us long after college ends. Vail and I are coming up on our four year anniversary of living together, so that's weird. I think the year four anniversary gift is an appliance and only one side of our toaster works... Bane will appreciate it too.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
RB: I feel like I've grown up a lot since I took the field as a freshman. It's a bummer because you look back and would love to be the immature you to go through the experience again. But I am also excited as I look forward to the remaining games of our season and life after soccer.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
RB: Probably being a teammate to a great group of guys all working towards the same goal. It's a unique opportunity, and I'm thankful of those benefiting my experience: the team, the coaching staff and Emily, the alumni support and the Lehigh Athletic Department. It's really hard not to miss people you see on a day-to-day basis. On that note, I will most definitely miss Miggins.
What are your postgraduate plans?
RB: I'm interviewing for jobs in finance and haven't narrowed it down yet. Hopefully living with other new alums because we aren't tired of each other yet.
#5 Brian Vail
A Finance major from Laguna Beach, Calif., Vail has proven to be a key member of Lehigh's backline who has seen action in 42 games throughout his career. His defensive skills earned him third team All-Patriot League honors as a junior. He also scored both goals in Lehigh's 2-1 win over nationally-ranked American in 2014 to earn Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week recognition. He has been a key member of Lehigh's back four that has secured eight shutouts so far this season.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
BV: Beating 14th-ranked American University 2-1 in a really competitive first game of league play last year. This was my favorite memory because my parents were visiting from California and I was able
to score my first goals of my Lehigh career for them. I don't get to see my family often so it was great to be able to celebrate the win with them.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
BV: After 3 and a half years, the struggles that we have gone through together, on and off the field, have definitely made us close. The guys in our class have become some of my best friends and we'll always be around for each other long after soccer and college ends. I have been fortunate enough to be able to live with Ryan Bertrando for almost four years and Ben Davis for the last three years. We live in a house that has no downstairs heat, virtually no food in our cabinets, and a loud bar next door, so we have learned to survive freezing winters, hunger and little sleep together. If all goes to plan, we will be surviving in New York City together next year.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
BV: While I am sad that my soccer career is almost at an end, I have plenty of hilarious memories with my friends. I can admire these memories for the rest of my life. These four seasons have gone by
incredibly quickly and lately I have become increasingly nostalgic, but when the time comes, I will be ready to move on to a new chapter in my life.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
BV: Never having to worry about gaining weight will be something that I will definitely miss. But mostly, I will miss all the jokes we tell to each other. Our team loves jokes and we do a good job of taking the
seriousness out of things. Everyone is really good about dishing out and taking jokes too.
What are your postgraduate plans?
BV: I am working to receive an offer to be a Financial Analyst at some companies in New York City and London.
#17 Ben Davis
A Princeton, N.J. native and Behavioral Neuroscience major, Davis has started in 32 games while making 44 appearances. He got the starting nod in 13 games as freshman, scoring his first career goal on a game-tying header against Army in the double-overtime thriller. He's been a key piece on Lehigh's backline this season and has helped the Mountain Hawks secure eight shutouts.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
BD: I have a lot of great memories as a Lehigh Soccer player, both on and off the field. One of my favorites was beating Penn State my freshman year. Pulling off an upset like that was a great moment for our team and something I'll never forget.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
BD: Each one of the seniors are some of my best friends. They are guys that I can count on to have my back no matter what. Highs and lows throughout our four years together have only made us closer.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
BD: Honestly, with the position we are in to qualify for the Patriot League Tournament I am mainly just focused on getting a win against a good Bucknell team. All I think about when I think of Senior Night being my last home game is making it into the postseason and extending our season as long as we can. A little payback from last year's playoff result would also feel pretty good.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
BD: You become a part of a couple different tight-knit groups as a member of the Lehigh Soccer team. The relationships you build with other student athletes is really unique and something I have enjoyed over my four years here. More importantly, the bond I have built with each one of my teammates, current and past, is what I will miss the most. Thankfully our alumni network does a great job of staying connected with each other and with the current team.
What are your postgraduate plans?
BD: I am planning on attending medical school after a year of traveling and volunteer work. Playing a sport in college makes it tough to travel abroad so I am hoping to get that chance before I get back to the books.
#18 Kyle Chin
Chin, an Irvine, Calif. native, has seen time all over the field in the Brown and White, playing in 45 games throughout his Lehigh career. He had spent time playing as a forward, midfielder and outside back. He tallied an assist as a freshman before scoring a goal as a junior. With success in the classroom as well, Chin is a Finance major who has landed on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
KC: My favorite memory is having a 10-win season last year because it has given us the confidence and belief to go even further this year.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
KC: We are a close group that has stuck together over the past four years and managed to get back to the winning ways of Lehigh soccer.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
KC: It's been a special experience and I'm thankful for the opportunity. The only thought going through my mind is getting three points on Saturday night.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
KC: I will definitely miss getting hyped in the locker room after a big win with my teammates.
What are your postgraduate plans?
KC: Still undecided, but I plan to work in the commercial real estate business either in New York City or Los Angeles.
#19 Jamie Luchini
A Finance major from Wexford, Pa., Luchini has been Lehigh's leading scorer in each of the last three seasons. He scored eight goals and tallied eight assists in his sophomore and junior years combined and earned second team All-Patriot League status after wrapping up his junior campaign with 20 points. Luchini leads the team with 19 points so far this season behind seven goals and five assists and leads the Patriot League with four game-winning goals. A true student-athlete who holds an impressive 3.65 GPA as a Finance major, Luchini is a two-time member of the Academic All-League team and has landed on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll in every year of his Lehigh career. He was also recently named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
JL: First career win against a ranked Penn State team.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JL: We are a tight group who have been through a lot in our four years and have become some great friends as we all move on.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JL: It is crazy to think that we are a few games away from ending our collegiate soccer career. With a lot still to play for in Patriot League play, it still has not even hit me that we have only a few games left.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
JL: The whole college soccer experience and growing into a family with all of my teammates.
What are your postgraduate plans?
JL: As of now, the plan is to play professionally. If not, begin searching for an investment banking job.
#22 Austin Decker
An International Relations major from Cleveland, Oklahoma, Decker's journey at Lehigh shows that determination and hard work are key values of the program. He entered as a freshman in 2009 and earned three Patriot League Rookie of the Week awards before earning second team All-Patriot League honors as a sophomore in 2010. Decker stepped away from the game for three years to serve a Mormon mission before returning as a junior in 2014. Since his return, he's tallied five points and seen action in 32 games as a key attacker for the Mountain Hawks.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
AD: My favorite Lehigh Soccer memory was returning and starting my first Lehigh Men's Soccer game against Manhattan after a three-year leave of absence.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AD: For me the relationship is probably a little different from the rest because I didn't join this class of seniors until the beginning of my junior year, but nonetheless they welcomed me and supported me as if I had been with them from the beginning. These seniors have helped make my return back to Lehigh an easy one and they are the epitome of what it means to become men in both honor and deed after having spent four years in Coach Koski's program.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AD: The biggest feeling I receive when I look back at the career I have had and the time I have spent with this team and its coaching staff is gratitude. I am grateful I have been able to spend my time as a NCAA college athlete with a program that is second to none.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
AD: I think what I am going to miss the most is playing under the lights on our home field.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AD: I will be applying to law schools and looking to move back out west closer to the rest of my family.
With Senior Night set for Saturday against Bucknell, Lehighsports.com caught up with the seven seniors to reflect on their Lehigh careers.
#0 Everett McCord
A true team player, McCord has been the consummate teammate whose positive energy and support has been crucial to the team's morale. He is regarded as the team's 12th man and has the admiration and respect of his teammates and coaches. His success in the classroom as a Mechanical Engineering major has earned him a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll member.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
EM: Beating Penn State my freshman year is definitely a great memory. Penn State was receiving top 25 votes at the time and Matt Weaver ended up scoring with 57 seconds left to give us the 1-0 win. It was absolutely crazy and we ended up beating the eventual Big Ten Regular Season Champs which was awesome. A close second is definitely going undefeated in Italian League my sophomore year and ending the season on a 10-0 victory, the first Italian League shutout in the history of Lehigh Men's Soccer, which is a pretty big deal.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
EM: The seniors and I all have a great relationship. They are some of my best friends and I can see these friendships going the distance. We have been through a lot in our careers considering the results we had our first two years, but I think it says a lot about each of the guys that we were able to turn our fortunes around and have the kind of success we had last year and are having so far this year. The tough times brought us close together and really strengthened the relationship we have with one another, and I really think that has shown in our success over the past two years.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
EM: It really is surreal. While I haven't exactly had the most prolific career in the history of the program, it was still great to be a part of the team and I know I am going to miss that feeling. Being a part of this program was one of the best decisions I have made to this date, so knowing that is coming to an end is really disappointing.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
EM: I am really just going to miss playing the game I have loved for as long as I can remember. I have played competitive soccer since the ripe young age of four, so it is going to be very strange for me to step away from that. I am going to especially miss game days. There is nothing better than a Saturday night game on Ulrich in my opinion, and I am definitely going to miss being a part of that.
What are your postgraduate plans?
EM: As of now I am planning on working for John Moriarity and Associates of Virginia, which is a General Contractor based in the DC area. I will be working in the Construction Management field focusing mainly on high-rise apartment buildings, hotels, and other similar projects.
#2 Ryan Bertrando
A Financial Engineering major from Lititz, Pa., Bertrando has been a key players since he stepped foot on campus, seeing action in 54 games and making over 40 starts. Bertrando began his career by playing 90+ minutes in ten contests as a freshman and recorded six points behind two goals and two assists as a junior. A true student-athlete, Bertrando is a two-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll member.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
RB: My favorite Lehigh Soccer memory is probably when we clinched a playoff position last year. We struggled to get results my first two years, so it was really gratifying to make the playoffs at that point.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
RB: For four years, I've spent virtually every moment of my life with someone on the team. From practice to rooming to my social life, these guys have always been around and we've become really great friends. We will take these relationships with us long after college ends. Vail and I are coming up on our four year anniversary of living together, so that's weird. I think the year four anniversary gift is an appliance and only one side of our toaster works... Bane will appreciate it too.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
RB: I feel like I've grown up a lot since I took the field as a freshman. It's a bummer because you look back and would love to be the immature you to go through the experience again. But I am also excited as I look forward to the remaining games of our season and life after soccer.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
RB: Probably being a teammate to a great group of guys all working towards the same goal. It's a unique opportunity, and I'm thankful of those benefiting my experience: the team, the coaching staff and Emily, the alumni support and the Lehigh Athletic Department. It's really hard not to miss people you see on a day-to-day basis. On that note, I will most definitely miss Miggins.
What are your postgraduate plans?
RB: I'm interviewing for jobs in finance and haven't narrowed it down yet. Hopefully living with other new alums because we aren't tired of each other yet.
#5 Brian Vail
A Finance major from Laguna Beach, Calif., Vail has proven to be a key member of Lehigh's backline who has seen action in 42 games throughout his career. His defensive skills earned him third team All-Patriot League honors as a junior. He also scored both goals in Lehigh's 2-1 win over nationally-ranked American in 2014 to earn Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week recognition. He has been a key member of Lehigh's back four that has secured eight shutouts so far this season.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
BV: Beating 14th-ranked American University 2-1 in a really competitive first game of league play last year. This was my favorite memory because my parents were visiting from California and I was able
to score my first goals of my Lehigh career for them. I don't get to see my family often so it was great to be able to celebrate the win with them.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
BV: After 3 and a half years, the struggles that we have gone through together, on and off the field, have definitely made us close. The guys in our class have become some of my best friends and we'll always be around for each other long after soccer and college ends. I have been fortunate enough to be able to live with Ryan Bertrando for almost four years and Ben Davis for the last three years. We live in a house that has no downstairs heat, virtually no food in our cabinets, and a loud bar next door, so we have learned to survive freezing winters, hunger and little sleep together. If all goes to plan, we will be surviving in New York City together next year.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
BV: While I am sad that my soccer career is almost at an end, I have plenty of hilarious memories with my friends. I can admire these memories for the rest of my life. These four seasons have gone by
incredibly quickly and lately I have become increasingly nostalgic, but when the time comes, I will be ready to move on to a new chapter in my life.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
BV: Never having to worry about gaining weight will be something that I will definitely miss. But mostly, I will miss all the jokes we tell to each other. Our team loves jokes and we do a good job of taking the
seriousness out of things. Everyone is really good about dishing out and taking jokes too.
What are your postgraduate plans?
BV: I am working to receive an offer to be a Financial Analyst at some companies in New York City and London.
#17 Ben Davis
A Princeton, N.J. native and Behavioral Neuroscience major, Davis has started in 32 games while making 44 appearances. He got the starting nod in 13 games as freshman, scoring his first career goal on a game-tying header against Army in the double-overtime thriller. He's been a key piece on Lehigh's backline this season and has helped the Mountain Hawks secure eight shutouts.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
BD: I have a lot of great memories as a Lehigh Soccer player, both on and off the field. One of my favorites was beating Penn State my freshman year. Pulling off an upset like that was a great moment for our team and something I'll never forget.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
BD: Each one of the seniors are some of my best friends. They are guys that I can count on to have my back no matter what. Highs and lows throughout our four years together have only made us closer.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
BD: Honestly, with the position we are in to qualify for the Patriot League Tournament I am mainly just focused on getting a win against a good Bucknell team. All I think about when I think of Senior Night being my last home game is making it into the postseason and extending our season as long as we can. A little payback from last year's playoff result would also feel pretty good.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
BD: You become a part of a couple different tight-knit groups as a member of the Lehigh Soccer team. The relationships you build with other student athletes is really unique and something I have enjoyed over my four years here. More importantly, the bond I have built with each one of my teammates, current and past, is what I will miss the most. Thankfully our alumni network does a great job of staying connected with each other and with the current team.
What are your postgraduate plans?
BD: I am planning on attending medical school after a year of traveling and volunteer work. Playing a sport in college makes it tough to travel abroad so I am hoping to get that chance before I get back to the books.
#18 Kyle Chin
Chin, an Irvine, Calif. native, has seen time all over the field in the Brown and White, playing in 45 games throughout his Lehigh career. He had spent time playing as a forward, midfielder and outside back. He tallied an assist as a freshman before scoring a goal as a junior. With success in the classroom as well, Chin is a Finance major who has landed on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
KC: My favorite memory is having a 10-win season last year because it has given us the confidence and belief to go even further this year.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
KC: We are a close group that has stuck together over the past four years and managed to get back to the winning ways of Lehigh soccer.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
KC: It's been a special experience and I'm thankful for the opportunity. The only thought going through my mind is getting three points on Saturday night.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
KC: I will definitely miss getting hyped in the locker room after a big win with my teammates.
What are your postgraduate plans?
KC: Still undecided, but I plan to work in the commercial real estate business either in New York City or Los Angeles.
#19 Jamie Luchini
A Finance major from Wexford, Pa., Luchini has been Lehigh's leading scorer in each of the last three seasons. He scored eight goals and tallied eight assists in his sophomore and junior years combined and earned second team All-Patriot League status after wrapping up his junior campaign with 20 points. Luchini leads the team with 19 points so far this season behind seven goals and five assists and leads the Patriot League with four game-winning goals. A true student-athlete who holds an impressive 3.65 GPA as a Finance major, Luchini is a two-time member of the Academic All-League team and has landed on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll in every year of his Lehigh career. He was also recently named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
JL: First career win against a ranked Penn State team.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JL: We are a tight group who have been through a lot in our four years and have become some great friends as we all move on.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JL: It is crazy to think that we are a few games away from ending our collegiate soccer career. With a lot still to play for in Patriot League play, it still has not even hit me that we have only a few games left.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
JL: The whole college soccer experience and growing into a family with all of my teammates.
What are your postgraduate plans?
JL: As of now, the plan is to play professionally. If not, begin searching for an investment banking job.
#22 Austin Decker
An International Relations major from Cleveland, Oklahoma, Decker's journey at Lehigh shows that determination and hard work are key values of the program. He entered as a freshman in 2009 and earned three Patriot League Rookie of the Week awards before earning second team All-Patriot League honors as a sophomore in 2010. Decker stepped away from the game for three years to serve a Mormon mission before returning as a junior in 2014. Since his return, he's tallied five points and seen action in 32 games as a key attacker for the Mountain Hawks.
What's your favorite Lehigh soccer memory up until this point?
AD: My favorite Lehigh Soccer memory was returning and starting my first Lehigh Men's Soccer game against Manhattan after a three-year leave of absence.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AD: For me the relationship is probably a little different from the rest because I didn't join this class of seniors until the beginning of my junior year, but nonetheless they welcomed me and supported me as if I had been with them from the beginning. These seniors have helped make my return back to Lehigh an easy one and they are the epitome of what it means to become men in both honor and deed after having spent four years in Coach Koski's program.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Night. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AD: The biggest feeling I receive when I look back at the career I have had and the time I have spent with this team and its coaching staff is gratitude. I am grateful I have been able to spend my time as a NCAA college athlete with a program that is second to none.
What will you miss most about Lehigh soccer?
AD: I think what I am going to miss the most is playing under the lights on our home field.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AD: I will be applying to law schools and looking to move back out west closer to the rest of my family.
Players Mentioned
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