Saturday, September 26
1 p.m.
Lehigh University
4-3-1, 0-1PL
0
vs
1
Holy Cross
3-3-2, 1-0PL
1
2
F
Holy Cross
1
0
1
Lehigh
0
0
0
Strong second half not enough in 1-0 loss to Holy Cross
9/26/2015 5:08:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's soccer team fell behind early before responding to control play for much of the second half, but the Mountain Hawks couldn't find the back of the net in a 1-0 loss to Holy Cross in the Patriot League opener for both sides on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore goalkeeper Joe Bogan impressed with six saves while senior Jamie Luchini tallied a game-high three shots.
"I'm really disappointed in our first half, not so much soccer wise but just how we approached the game," said head coach Dean Koski. "Our level of self-awareness, level of competing for each other and our trust was not there in the first half. We made some important changes, which really turned it around for us and helped us get a hold of the game. I thought we played better in the last 20 minutes of the first half. In the second half, we did a really good job other than find a goal. The guys who stepped on the field in the second half were really good for us and played the way that we need to play in order to be successful."
Holy Cross had the first good scoring opportunity of the game in the fifth minute when Joey DeVivo worked his way down to the end line and Lehigh had an open net, but a Mountain Hawk defender stepped up to block the shot. The Crusaders struck in the 12th minute when Bogan got tangled up with a Crusader and Holy Cross' Justin Cafora capitalized on the loose ball to send it into Lehigh's empty net and put the Crusaders ahead 1-0.
Bogan made his first save of the game five minutes later on another DeVivo shot and Holy Cross keeper Kevin Wright was forced to make a stop on a header from Luchini in the 21st minute. Each team tallied one more shot for the remained of the half as neither could hold onto possession and the Crusaders carried a 1-0 lead into halftime.
A cross from senior Austin Decker to junior Gianfranco Giammatteo provided the first good scoring opportunity of the second half in the 49th minute, but Giammatteo's attempt skirted wide. Not long after, Bogan made a pair of saves on free kicks in the 57th and 59th minutes.
Lehigh had a glittering scoring chance in the 62nd minute as freshman Ben Bates connected on a cross from Decker, putting the ball past Wright, but the Mountain Hawks were called for offsides.
Freshman Mark Forrest nearly pulled Lehigh even in the 70th minute, taking a free kick from just outside the box, but Wright was there to make the impressive save.
As Lehigh continued to attack looking for the equalizer, Bogan continued his strong afternoon in goal, making a big save in the 81st minute. Owen Azrak took a hard shot from outside the box, but the sophomore keeper made the save to keep Lehigh's deficit at 1-0.
The Mountain Hawks nearly capitalized when Lehigh earned a corner kick less than two minutes later. After the initial corner was cleared, sophomore Jack Miskel found Forrest on a nifty cross. Forrest's header looked ticketed for the corner of the net, but Wright moved to his right for the save in the 83rd minute.
Lehigh was only able to get one shot off the rest of the game as Holy Cross hung on for the 1-0 victory.
Final shots were even at 11 while the Mountain Hawks held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. Bogan's six saves came across Holy Cross goalkeeper Kevin Wright, who made four.
"This really gives us an opportunity to evaluate what players are ready to step in, compete and play at a level of commitment we need of them during Patriot League games," said Koski. "For us to give up three points on the home field, it's disappointing, but I think we can learn some lessons from today."
Lehigh will remain home to host non-league opponent Fordham Tuesday at 7 p.m. before continuing league play against Colgate Saturday Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Free video of both matches will be available on the Patriot League Network.
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content and team updates.
Team Stats
HC
LEHIGH
Goals
1
0
Shots
11
11
Shots on Goal
7
4
Saves
4
6
Corners
2
4
Fouls
19
13
Scoring Plays
Carfora, Justin (1)
Shot into open net after goalie misplay
11:25
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's SoccerF/M
/ Men's Soccer
M/D
/ Men's SoccerF/M
/ Men's SoccerF/M
/ Men's SoccerLehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Wednesday, October 29
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Wednesday, September 17
2025 Lehigh Men's Soccer Season Preview
Tuesday, August 19
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Tuesday, October 15
