Lehigh University Athletics
Saturday, October 16
Bethlehem, Pa.
6 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Lafayette
Photo by: Brent Hugo
Lehigh hosts Lafayette in The Rivalry presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health
10/15/2021 8:30:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Looking to get back on track after dropping an important Patriot League contest on the road at Holy Cross last Sunday, the Lehigh men's soccer team is gearing up for one of its most important games of the year, taking on Lafayette Saturday at 6 p.m. in The Rivalry presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health. The contest will also be streamed live on ESPN+ from the Ulrich Sports Complex.
In addition to the game, the team will honor two conference championship teams – the 2000 Patriot League Championship team and the 1971 MAC Championship team – for the 20th and 50th anniversaries, respectively.
The Mountain Hawks (1-9-2, 1-4-0 PL) need a lot of help in order to reach the Patriot League Tournament, especially after being shut out by the first place Crusaders on Sunday afternoon. Lehigh has four league games remaining on the schedule, first taking on Lafayette, then Navy (Oct. 23), then Boston University (Oct. 30) and wrapping up the regular season on the road at Colgate (Nov. 3).
Senior forward Josh Luchini is Lehigh's leading scorer with three goals, two assists and a total of eight points this season so far. His 32 shots are a team-high and also leads the way with 11 shots on goal. Junior Euan Forrest has the Mountain Hawks' only game-winner this season, the first goal of his career against Army West Point on Oct. 2.
In goal, sophomore goalkeeper Blake Koski made his sixth appearance and fifth start of the season at Holy Cross and decreased his goals against average to 1.44.
Lafayette comes into Saturday's contest as one of the hotter teams in the league as the Leopards (7-4-2, 3-1-1 PL) look for their second consecutive victory over the Mountain Hawks after a 3-0 shutout win last year.
While going 5-0-2 in Easton so far, Lafayette is 2-4-0 on the road which bodes well for Saturday night. The Leopards are coming off two straight league wins, 1-0 vs. Colgate on Oct. 2 and 2-1 at Loyola Maryland on Oct. 9. On Tuesday night, Lafayette played Saint Joseph's to a 3-3 draw in two overtime periods.
Marcos Kitromilides is Lafayette's leading scorer at four goals and two assists, while Hale Lombard also has four goals this season. Andrew Venezia's three assists are a team-best.
Alex Sutton has made 12 starts with four shutouts and a 0.96 goals against average.
Lehigh leads the all-time series over Lafayette, 58-49-11 and last won on Nov. 16, 2019, 1-0 in the Patriot League title game. Each of the previous 13 matchups have been in shutout fashion. Both teams played to a 2-2 draw on Sept. 27, 2008.
For any spectators who prefer Physically-Distanced seating, the section at the North end of the bleachers is marked with physically-distanced signage.
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
In addition to the game, the team will honor two conference championship teams – the 2000 Patriot League Championship team and the 1971 MAC Championship team – for the 20th and 50th anniversaries, respectively.
The Mountain Hawks (1-9-2, 1-4-0 PL) need a lot of help in order to reach the Patriot League Tournament, especially after being shut out by the first place Crusaders on Sunday afternoon. Lehigh has four league games remaining on the schedule, first taking on Lafayette, then Navy (Oct. 23), then Boston University (Oct. 30) and wrapping up the regular season on the road at Colgate (Nov. 3).
Senior forward Josh Luchini is Lehigh's leading scorer with three goals, two assists and a total of eight points this season so far. His 32 shots are a team-high and also leads the way with 11 shots on goal. Junior Euan Forrest has the Mountain Hawks' only game-winner this season, the first goal of his career against Army West Point on Oct. 2.
In goal, sophomore goalkeeper Blake Koski made his sixth appearance and fifth start of the season at Holy Cross and decreased his goals against average to 1.44.
Lafayette comes into Saturday's contest as one of the hotter teams in the league as the Leopards (7-4-2, 3-1-1 PL) look for their second consecutive victory over the Mountain Hawks after a 3-0 shutout win last year.
While going 5-0-2 in Easton so far, Lafayette is 2-4-0 on the road which bodes well for Saturday night. The Leopards are coming off two straight league wins, 1-0 vs. Colgate on Oct. 2 and 2-1 at Loyola Maryland on Oct. 9. On Tuesday night, Lafayette played Saint Joseph's to a 3-3 draw in two overtime periods.
Marcos Kitromilides is Lafayette's leading scorer at four goals and two assists, while Hale Lombard also has four goals this season. Andrew Venezia's three assists are a team-best.
Alex Sutton has made 12 starts with four shutouts and a 0.96 goals against average.
Lehigh leads the all-time series over Lafayette, 58-49-11 and last won on Nov. 16, 2019, 1-0 in the Patriot League title game. Each of the previous 13 matchups have been in shutout fashion. Both teams played to a 2-2 draw on Sept. 27, 2008.
For any spectators who prefer Physically-Distanced seating, the section at the North end of the bleachers is marked with physically-distanced signage.
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, October 29
Wednesday, September 17
Tuesday, August 19
Tuesday, October 15
