Saturday, February 22
Newark, N.J.
12 p.m.
Lehigh University
at
NJIT
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Lehigh makes quick return to action at NJIT Saturday
2/21/2020 5:15:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The No. 19 Lehigh men's lacrosse team wraps up a busy 48-hour stretch when the Mountain Hawks travel to NJIT on Saturday to face the Highlanders. Gametime is set for 12 p.m. and can be seen online through NEC Front Row. Lehigh stands 2-1 on the year following a come-from-behind 14-11 win over VMI Thursday.
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In Thursday's contest, the Keydets opened a 6-2 second-quarter lead, but a 6-1 Mountain Hawks' run spanning the end of the first half and beginning of the second gave Lehigh its first lead at 8-7. The story for the Mountain Hawks was fifth-year senior Andrew Pettit, who scored a career-high eight goals, five coming in the third quarter in a dominant effort. In the process, Pettit tied the program's 23-year old record for goals in a game (originally set by Mark Duncan on Apr. 12, 1997 against Bucknell). He was also just one goal from tying the Patriot League mark. Pettit added a fourth-quarter goal to give him six of Lehigh's nine second-half goals. Pettit also collected a career-high eight groundballs. Pettit has been confirmed as the only men's Division I player to post that stat line (8+ goals and 8+ groundballs) in at least the last 10 years.
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Pettit wasn't the only contributor. Sophomore Tommy Schelling recorded six points (three goals, three assists) to up his season point total to 19 (13 goals, six assists). Those 19 points are currently tied for sixth nationally. Freshman Christian Mule' posted a career-high three assists and four points, while senior Ryan Klose earned a start in the midfield and dished a career-high two assists. Junior Kevin Gersbeck also scored his first-career goal in the second quarter.
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Sophomore defenseman Michael Hagenberger impressed in his first start of the season (and first start since last April), recording two groundballs and two caused turnovers. Senior Christian McHugh caused a pair of turnovers as well. Senior Conor Gaffney continued his strong play, winning 12-of-17 faceoffs with six groundballs. He moved to 639 career faceoff wins, passing Brady Dove for third place in Patriot League history. Sophomore Mike Sisselberger was also 6-of-11 with five groundballs. Junior James Spence made eight saves in goal, seven coming over the final three quarters.
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Even after Lehigh went in front 8-7, VMI wouldn't go away, pulling even at eight, nine, 10 and 11. The Mountain Hawks ended on a 3-0 run, with goals by Pettit, senior Andrew Eichelberger and Schelling. On the other side, Lehigh held the Keydets scoreless for the game's final 11:44. In the end, the Mountain Hawks won their 10th straight game vs. VMI.
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The Mountain Hawks are 2-1 or better for the ninth time in the last 10 years. With a win on Saturday, the team would be 3-1 (or better) for the sixth time in the last seven years. Lehigh has faced NJIT each of the last four years, but this marks the first time it's not the season opener, and first game at NJIT.
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NJIT stands 1-3 on the season, beating Hampton (24-7) while falling at Monmouth (11-8), Army (19-1) and Delaware (13-1). Collin Forgerty leads the offense in assists (5) and points (9) while Gavyn Willson and Ryan Kaden each have six points (five goals, one assist apiece). John Tachon leads the defense with team highs in groundballs (15) and caused turnovers (12). Liam Brown has started all four games in goal, recording a 12.78 goals against average and 48.7 save percentage. Last season, the Highlanders finished 2-13 with wins over Monmouth and Hampton.
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Lehigh leads the all-time series vs. NJIT, 4-0 having won each of the last four years. Each came in season openers for the Mountain Hawks and each were at Lehigh. The finals were 21-4, 15-5, 13-8 and 15-8, respectively. Last season, the Mountain Hawks held a 48-21 edge in shots, but the Highlanders finished with 19 saves, or the margin could have been worse.
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The Mountain Hawks return home next Saturday to host Navy in the Patriot League opener. Gametime is set for 3 p.m. as the second game of a Lehigh Lacrosse doubleheader with the women's squad.
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Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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In Thursday's contest, the Keydets opened a 6-2 second-quarter lead, but a 6-1 Mountain Hawks' run spanning the end of the first half and beginning of the second gave Lehigh its first lead at 8-7. The story for the Mountain Hawks was fifth-year senior Andrew Pettit, who scored a career-high eight goals, five coming in the third quarter in a dominant effort. In the process, Pettit tied the program's 23-year old record for goals in a game (originally set by Mark Duncan on Apr. 12, 1997 against Bucknell). He was also just one goal from tying the Patriot League mark. Pettit added a fourth-quarter goal to give him six of Lehigh's nine second-half goals. Pettit also collected a career-high eight groundballs. Pettit has been confirmed as the only men's Division I player to post that stat line (8+ goals and 8+ groundballs) in at least the last 10 years.
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Pettit wasn't the only contributor. Sophomore Tommy Schelling recorded six points (three goals, three assists) to up his season point total to 19 (13 goals, six assists). Those 19 points are currently tied for sixth nationally. Freshman Christian Mule' posted a career-high three assists and four points, while senior Ryan Klose earned a start in the midfield and dished a career-high two assists. Junior Kevin Gersbeck also scored his first-career goal in the second quarter.
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Sophomore defenseman Michael Hagenberger impressed in his first start of the season (and first start since last April), recording two groundballs and two caused turnovers. Senior Christian McHugh caused a pair of turnovers as well. Senior Conor Gaffney continued his strong play, winning 12-of-17 faceoffs with six groundballs. He moved to 639 career faceoff wins, passing Brady Dove for third place in Patriot League history. Sophomore Mike Sisselberger was also 6-of-11 with five groundballs. Junior James Spence made eight saves in goal, seven coming over the final three quarters.
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Even after Lehigh went in front 8-7, VMI wouldn't go away, pulling even at eight, nine, 10 and 11. The Mountain Hawks ended on a 3-0 run, with goals by Pettit, senior Andrew Eichelberger and Schelling. On the other side, Lehigh held the Keydets scoreless for the game's final 11:44. In the end, the Mountain Hawks won their 10th straight game vs. VMI.
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The Mountain Hawks are 2-1 or better for the ninth time in the last 10 years. With a win on Saturday, the team would be 3-1 (or better) for the sixth time in the last seven years. Lehigh has faced NJIT each of the last four years, but this marks the first time it's not the season opener, and first game at NJIT.
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NJIT stands 1-3 on the season, beating Hampton (24-7) while falling at Monmouth (11-8), Army (19-1) and Delaware (13-1). Collin Forgerty leads the offense in assists (5) and points (9) while Gavyn Willson and Ryan Kaden each have six points (five goals, one assist apiece). John Tachon leads the defense with team highs in groundballs (15) and caused turnovers (12). Liam Brown has started all four games in goal, recording a 12.78 goals against average and 48.7 save percentage. Last season, the Highlanders finished 2-13 with wins over Monmouth and Hampton.
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Lehigh leads the all-time series vs. NJIT, 4-0 having won each of the last four years. Each came in season openers for the Mountain Hawks and each were at Lehigh. The finals were 21-4, 15-5, 13-8 and 15-8, respectively. Last season, the Mountain Hawks held a 48-21 edge in shots, but the Highlanders finished with 19 saves, or the margin could have been worse.
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The Mountain Hawks return home next Saturday to host Navy in the Patriot League opener. Gametime is set for 3 p.m. as the second game of a Lehigh Lacrosse doubleheader with the women's squad.
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Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Players Mentioned
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