First place Crusaders escape with 1-0 shutout of Lehigh

Sunday, October 10

Worcester, Mass.

4 p.m.

Lehigh University

1-9-2, 1-4-0

Holy Cross

7-3-2, 4-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Lehigh	0	0	0
Holy Cross	1	0	1

Photo by: Josh Liddick

First place Crusaders escape with 1-0 shutout of Lehigh

10/10/2021 6:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Lehigh men's soccer team provided plenty of offense against a strong defensive unit, but the Crusaders' late first half goal stood as the difference-maker as first place Holy Cross (7-3-2, 4-1-0) came away with the 1-0 victory Sunday afternoon at Linda Johnson Smith Stadium. The loss snaps the Mountain Hawks' (1-9-2, 1-3-0 PL) two-game unbeaten streak.

"I thought defensively, we were fine today," said The Ingrassia Men's Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski. "I thought we did a good job in the first half of managing the game and creating opportunities. I thought we were fine, I was pleased with how we competed in the first half.

"Unfortunately, we gave up a goal that wasn't very good and while we needed to overcome that, we just were not able to get goal production from any of our attacking players in critical moments. So, we have to continue to work with them and give them ideas and help them figure out how they can be more dangerous in the final third. I thought our midfield play has been pretty good, but our final third play lacks that level of commitment and conviction and willingness to do what needs to be done to get on the end of crosses to create scoring opportunities."

The beginning of the first half seemed to be pretty even between both sides, despite Lehigh's persistence on offense as the team totaled four shots in the first 21 minutes of action.

Jack Sarkos tallied the Mountain Hawks first and only shot on goal of the contest in the 26th minute, but wasn't a good enough chance to evade the keeper.

Holy Cross reeled off five shots before finally finding the back of the net in the 41st minute, the fifth goal of the season for Evan Jones off the double assist from Max Krause and Jack Ostrosky.

The Crusaders registered the first four shots of the second half, despite Lehigh out-shooting them, 6-3 in the period.

From the 74th minute to the 78th minute, Lehigh fired off a shot from Sarkos, Euan Forrest and two from Yoni Aidlberg to no avail. Sarkos registered Lehigh's final two shots of the contest in the 82nd and 90th minutes, but Holy Cross escaped with the 1-0 final.

Lehigh out-shot Holy Cross, 11-10 while Blake Koski made one save. The Crusaders led the way in corners, 7-3 and fouls, 9-5.

A familiar foe returns to the Ulrich Sports Complex on Saturday evening, as archrival Lafayette comes to Bethlehem in The Rivalry presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health. The matchup is also Alumni Night, where the program will honor the 2000 Patriot League Championship team and the 1971 MAC Championship team. The contest will kick-off at 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required).

Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.