Lehigh Set for Saturday Showdown with Loyola

WATCH

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh will play host to preseason Patriot League favorite and league-leading Loyola on Saturday in a matchup of two of the league's top three teams. Kickoff at Ulrich Sports Complex is set for 6 p.m. and the match will be streamed live for free on the Patriot League Network. The Mountain Hawks will have a special ceremony at halftime to honor their seven seniors and their families in their final regular season home game.

Lehigh (10-5-1, 4-2-1) is coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to Bucknell at home on Wednesday night. The Bison took a 2-0 lead in the first 12 minutes on two tallies by Matt Thorsheim and despite a furious comeback effort, the Mountain Hawks were denied numerous times by Bucknell keeper Emmitt Witmer who made five saves in the second half.

The loss on Wednesday night snapped a three-game win streak for Lehigh and ended a four-game unbeaten streak in league play. The Mountain Hawks had a chance to clinch a Patriot League Tournament berth with a win over Bucknell, but are still in good position to qualify for the tournament as they are six points ahead of the seventh place team with two games remaining.

Loyola (10-4-1, 6-1-0) clinched a top-four seed in the Patriot League Tournament with a 4-1 win over American on Wednesday and needs one point on Saturday to secure a top-two seed and a first-round bye. The Greyhounds are currently riding a five-game win streak, including a four-game win streak in league play. Loyola ranks first in the Northeast Region and is once again receiving votes in the national poll.

Saturday's match features four Preseason All-Patriot League players, including the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Brian Saramgo, and Midfielder of the Year, Barry Sharifi. Saramago ranks first in the Patriot League with 14 points in league games this season and is tied for first with six goals. Sharifi is tied for third with 10 points in league games. Mark Forrest is tied with Saramago for the most goals in league play, while Forrest leads the league in overall points (33) and goals (13). Doyle Tuvesson leads the league in overall assists (9) and ranks fourth in overall points (17).

Loyola leads the Patriot League with 2.14 goals per game in league play and ranks second with a 0.71 goals-against average against league opponents. Lehigh is tied for third with 1.86 goals per game against league opponents and is fifth with a goals-against average of 1.25 in league games.

This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the Greyhounds and the Mountain Hawks, with Loyola evening the series at 2-2 after a 2-1 victory at home last year. Lehigh won the inaugural meeting in 2013, before the Greyhounds used overtime in 2014 to pick up their first win in the series. A penalty kick gave the Mountain Hawks the result in 2015. The home team has prevailed in all four previous meetings in the series.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mark Forrest

Doyle Tuvesson

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus #6 Lafayette on November 15, 2025 , Tie , 1, to, 1

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus #4 Boston University on November 11, 2025 , Win , 1, to, 0

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Lafayette on November 4, 2025 , Tie , 1, to, 1

Completed Event: Men's Soccer at Colgate on October 31, 2025 , Tie , 0, to, 0

Completed Event: Men's Soccer at Boston University on October 25, 2025 , Win , 2, to, 0

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Seton Hall on October 21, 2025 , Loss , 1, to, 5

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Bucknell on October 18, 2025 , Win , 2, to, 1

Lehigh University Athletics