Saturday, October 30
Bethlehem, Pa.
6 p.m.
Lehigh University
4-10-2, 4-4-0PL
5
vs
3
Boston U.
3-9-3, 2-4-2PL
1
2
F
Boston U.
1
2
3
Lehigh
3
2
5
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Barrage of goals lifts Lehigh to 5-3 victory over BU on Senior Night
10/30/2021 11:53:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The most goals scored in a game since 2009, the Lehigh men's soccer team withstood a late Boston University charge to get the 5-3 victory Saturday at the Ulrich Sports Complex on Senior Night. The Mountain Hawks (4-10-2, 4-4-0 PL) got a brace each from Josh Luchini and Jack Sarkos and now control their own destiny with just one game to play in the regular season. Currently in a tie for fourth place, a victory over Colgate on Wednesday evening would propel Lehigh into the Patriot League Tournament for the first time since 2019.
Lehigh scored five times with a combined seven assists against the Terriers with an assist each for Dawson Berger, Michael Tahiru, Perry Kingson, Stevo Bednarsky, Andrew White, Luchini and Sarkos.
The victory is also Lehigh's third straight over BU dating back to the 2018 season, scoring a combined nine goals in the last two games against the Terriers, both at the Ulrich Sports Complex.
"It was a really good offensive effort and I'm really happy that we were able to find five goals," said The Ingrassia Family Men's Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski. "I thought we struggled a little bit trying to protect the lead. We haven't been in that situation very often this season, being up three goals. It's new to us and new to our backs and its something we have to coach and do a better job of coaching our team when we get into those situations.
"But when it's in the moment like that, it's really difficult to make adjustments. At the end of the day, we needed the three points and got them and I think Boston U. did a really nice job of keeping themselves in the game and clawing back but I like the way we responded. Finishing the game with five goals is really good for us."
Sarkos scored first in the third minute after a nice pass from Berger. The goal put the Mountain Hawks on the board first and it was Sarkos' second consecutive game scoring first.
Kingson was awarded a corner kick opportunity in the 30th minute and took full advantage of it. Kingson's corner found the foot of Sarkos, who dished to Euan Forrest to lift Lehigh to a 2-0 lead. The goal was Forrest's second of the season.
Luchini made it a 3-0 game just mere minutes later with a beautiful ball from Stevo Bednarsky after the initial pass from Michael Tahiru.
In the 45th minute, a free kick chance in the waning seconds allowed Quinn Matulis to convert and cut the deficit to 3-1 heading into the locker room.
Lehigh led the shots battle in the first half, 10-7 and had the corner kick advantage, 4-3.
Two goals in 24 seconds for the Terriers, a 67th minute score for Aidan Bone and a PK for Matulis had BU just a goal away from tying, making it 4-3, however in the 78th minute, a foul in the box led to a penalty kick for Luchini, who successfully converted to give Lehigh the 5-3 lead.
"We really needed to rely upon the leadership in the field in those moments (when giving up two goals)," said Koski. "There's not much that we can do as coaches and so I think Stevo (Bednarsky) certainly did a really good job of settling our guys down along with some of the other upperclassmen. They kept talking to each other and I thought that was really important as we got through the second half."
The Terriers had three shots to end the second half including the second shot to hit the crossbar in the contest in the 88th minute, as Lehigh hung on for the two-goal victory and three points.
Lehigh led the way in shots, 21-17 including an 11-6 edge in shots on goal. The Mountain Hawks also finished with nine corner kicks to BU's four. The two sides totaled 15 fouls and seven cards (four for BU, three for Lehigh).
Gallery: (10-30-2021) Men's Soccer vs. Boston U., 10/30/21
The program honored the seven members of the senior class (Dawson Berger, Michael Tahiru, Nick Jennings, Josh Luchini, Noah Sutherland and fifth-years Trevor Koski and Stevo Bednarsky) with a halftime ceremony on the field.
"It's a great group of seniors," Koski said. "Having the five true seniors and two fifth-year seniors, they all mean a great deal to this program and they are all Patriot League Champions and they want to pursue another one this year. If we're good enough to get into the Tournament, then we have a great shot of getting there again.
"I'm incredibly proud of them and very fortunate to have such great men in the program and I know they have distinguished themselves as remarkable student-athletes."
The Mountain Hawks head to Colgate on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. for the regular season finale, streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required). A win over the Raiders would punch Lehigh's ticket to the Patriot League Tournament, with seeding still to be determined. Lehigh is currently tied with Army West Point and Navy for fourth at 12 points, but holds the tiebreaker over both teams. It also has a one-point advantage over seventh-place Lafayette (11), also holding a tiebreaker over the Leopards.
"Wednesday is huge for us," said Koski. "It could potentially decide our season and we might know a little bit more tomorrow, but our job is to go out and get a result against Colgate. I know they have had a tough year, but I also know the coaching staff and I know the players and I know they just aren't going to allow us to come up there and win a game.
"They're going to do all they can do to get a win, so we need to be ready for that."
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Lehigh scored five times with a combined seven assists against the Terriers with an assist each for Dawson Berger, Michael Tahiru, Perry Kingson, Stevo Bednarsky, Andrew White, Luchini and Sarkos.
The victory is also Lehigh's third straight over BU dating back to the 2018 season, scoring a combined nine goals in the last two games against the Terriers, both at the Ulrich Sports Complex.
"It was a really good offensive effort and I'm really happy that we were able to find five goals," said The Ingrassia Family Men's Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski. "I thought we struggled a little bit trying to protect the lead. We haven't been in that situation very often this season, being up three goals. It's new to us and new to our backs and its something we have to coach and do a better job of coaching our team when we get into those situations.
"But when it's in the moment like that, it's really difficult to make adjustments. At the end of the day, we needed the three points and got them and I think Boston U. did a really nice job of keeping themselves in the game and clawing back but I like the way we responded. Finishing the game with five goals is really good for us."
Sarkos scored first in the third minute after a nice pass from Berger. The goal put the Mountain Hawks on the board first and it was Sarkos' second consecutive game scoring first.
Kingson was awarded a corner kick opportunity in the 30th minute and took full advantage of it. Kingson's corner found the foot of Sarkos, who dished to Euan Forrest to lift Lehigh to a 2-0 lead. The goal was Forrest's second of the season.
Luchini made it a 3-0 game just mere minutes later with a beautiful ball from Stevo Bednarsky after the initial pass from Michael Tahiru.
In the 45th minute, a free kick chance in the waning seconds allowed Quinn Matulis to convert and cut the deficit to 3-1 heading into the locker room.
Lehigh led the shots battle in the first half, 10-7 and had the corner kick advantage, 4-3.
Andrew White fed the ball to Luchini in the 57th minute, who crossed it wonderfully to Sarkos for his second goal of the game, sixth in two games, to push the Mountain Hawks ahead 4-1.All highlights, baby! 🎥#GoLehigh | #DODN pic.twitter.com/TJpTEIKTPg
— Lehigh Men's Soccer (@LehighMSoccer) October 31, 2021
Two goals in 24 seconds for the Terriers, a 67th minute score for Aidan Bone and a PK for Matulis had BU just a goal away from tying, making it 4-3, however in the 78th minute, a foul in the box led to a penalty kick for Luchini, who successfully converted to give Lehigh the 5-3 lead.
"We really needed to rely upon the leadership in the field in those moments (when giving up two goals)," said Koski. "There's not much that we can do as coaches and so I think Stevo (Bednarsky) certainly did a really good job of settling our guys down along with some of the other upperclassmen. They kept talking to each other and I thought that was really important as we got through the second half."
The Terriers had three shots to end the second half including the second shot to hit the crossbar in the contest in the 88th minute, as Lehigh hung on for the two-goal victory and three points.
Lehigh led the way in shots, 21-17 including an 11-6 edge in shots on goal. The Mountain Hawks also finished with nine corner kicks to BU's four. The two sides totaled 15 fouls and seven cards (four for BU, three for Lehigh).
The program honored the seven members of the senior class (Dawson Berger, Michael Tahiru, Nick Jennings, Josh Luchini, Noah Sutherland and fifth-years Trevor Koski and Stevo Bednarsky) with a halftime ceremony on the field.
"It's a great group of seniors," Koski said. "Having the five true seniors and two fifth-year seniors, they all mean a great deal to this program and they are all Patriot League Champions and they want to pursue another one this year. If we're good enough to get into the Tournament, then we have a great shot of getting there again.
"I'm incredibly proud of them and very fortunate to have such great men in the program and I know they have distinguished themselves as remarkable student-athletes."
The Mountain Hawks head to Colgate on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. for the regular season finale, streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required). A win over the Raiders would punch Lehigh's ticket to the Patriot League Tournament, with seeding still to be determined. Lehigh is currently tied with Army West Point and Navy for fourth at 12 points, but holds the tiebreaker over both teams. It also has a one-point advantage over seventh-place Lafayette (11), also holding a tiebreaker over the Leopards.
"Wednesday is huge for us," said Koski. "It could potentially decide our season and we might know a little bit more tomorrow, but our job is to go out and get a result against Colgate. I know they have had a tough year, but I also know the coaching staff and I know the players and I know they just aren't going to allow us to come up there and win a game.
"They're going to do all they can do to get a win, so we need to be ready for that."
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Lehigh's playing its best soccer late in the year. Head coach @DeanKoski caught up with @LehighSports following the Mountain Hawks' 5-3 win over BU on Saturday night. 🗣 pic.twitter.com/LWYligG7Z6
— Lehigh Men's Soccer (@LehighMSoccer) October 31, 2021
Senior Josh Luchini finished with two goals and an assist on Senior Night. He spoke with @LehighSports following the Mountain Hawks' 5-3 win over BU. 🗣 pic.twitter.com/y8KD1jp7sv
— Lehigh Men's Soccer (@LehighMSoccer) October 31, 2021
Team Stats
BOSTONU
LEHIGH
Goals
3
5
Shots
17
21
Shots on Goal
6
11
Saves
6
3
Corners
4
9
Fouls
7
8
Scoring Plays
Sarkos, Jack (6)
Assisted By: Berger, Dawson
Shoveled from 3, dished to 9, who took h
2:47
Forrest, Euan (2)
Assisted By: Kingson, Perry , Sarkos, Jack
4 took off corner from 21, deflection to
29:30
Luchini, Josh (4)
Assisted By: Bednarsky, Stevo , Tahiru, Michael
Beautiful ball from 8 from right wing, c
31:23
Matulis, Quinn (3)
7 goal off free kick from top of box
44:02
Sarkos, Jack (7)
Assisted By: Luchini, Josh , White, Andrew
Great cross from right wing to 9 who put
56:33
Bone, Aidan (1)
Assisted By: Matulis, Quinn
31 got ball of deflection, pounded in fo
66:10
Matulis, Quinn (4)
BOSTONU Matulis, Quinn PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 4 for season.
66:34
Luchini, Josh (5)
LEHIGH Luchini, Josh PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 5 for season.
77:45
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
6
SOG
3
Goals
2
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
4
Goals
2
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M/D
/ Men's Soccer
D/M
/ Men's SoccerD
/ Men's Soccer
D/M
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F/M
/ Men's Soccer
D
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