Lehigh University Athletics
Tuesday, October 5
Bethlehem, Pa.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
West Virginia
Diakho wins PL Defensive Player of the Week as Lehigh hosts No. 3 West Virginia
10/4/2021 12:08:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Sophomore defender Hassane Diakho was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week when the league announced their weekly award slate on Monday afternoon. Diakho and the Lehigh men's soccer team (1-8-1, 1-3-0 PL) are in the midst of preparing to host No. 3 West Virginia Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Ulrich Sports Complex.
Diakho is Lehigh's first weekly award winner of the 2021 season so far, becoming the first defender to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors since Nick Jennings in 2019.
With Diakho playing 90 minutes of center-back on Saturday night against Army West Point, the Mountain Hawks held the Black Knights without a goal for the first 84 minutes of action. Lehigh eventually scored the game-winner in the 90th minute to earn its first victory of the 2021 season and snap a nine-game winless streak.
Jack Sarkos and Euan Forrest were the goal scorers for Lehigh against Army, with Sarkos scoring first in the ninth minute, a great ball from Dominic Flowers by way of Nolan Jetter.
Coming into Saturday's contest, the Mountain Hawks had been held without a goal for the previous 274 minutes, being shut out in back-to-back-to-back games against UMBC, American and Bucknell.
Josh Luchini provided the assist on Sarkos' first goal and continues to pace Lehigh in goals (2), assists (2) and points (6) this season.
The three points earned against Army were mighty important, as the Mountain Hawks are currently tied with Boston University for eighth in the current standings. The top of the table stands with Navy, Army and Holy Cross in a three-way tie at 3-1.
West Virginia is the best team Lehigh will see this season, coming into Tuesday night's matchup currently ranked No. 3 in the country by the United Soccer Coaches.
The Mountaineers played Akron to a double-overtime draw on Thursday night in Morgantown and are 6-0-3 so far this season with nationally-ranked wins over then-No. 3 Pitt (2-1) and then No. 17 Penn State (3-1). Most notably, WVU drew with defending national champion No. 6 Marshall on Sept. 17, 2-2.
WVU averages 1.89 goals per game this season, out-scoring opponents, 17-4 in nine games. The Mountaineers have out-shot opponents, 118-65 averaging 13.1 shots per game.
Individually, WVU has 11 different players scoring 16 goals this season with Yoran Popovic scoring three and Frederik Jorgensen, Kevin Morris and Ciro Bourlot Jaeggi adding two. Pau Jimenez Albeida's three assists are a team-high.
Between the pipes, Steven Tekesky has been one of the nation's best, allowing just four goals in nine games with six shutouts. His 0.41 goals against average ranks seventh in the country and his six shutouts are second-best.
Tuesday nights marks the first matchup all-time between Lehigh and West Virginia. The Mountaineers are the second nationally-ranked foe Lehigh is facing in 2021, falling to then-No. 3 Pitt earlier this season on the road. The Mountain Hawks are 2-3 against nationally-ranked opponents since the 2017 season and haven't won since beating No. 22 Navy 2-0 on the road back on Oct. 19, 2019.
Tuesday evening's fixture will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required) with live stats also being provided.
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.
Diakho is Lehigh's first weekly award winner of the 2021 season so far, becoming the first defender to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors since Nick Jennings in 2019.
With Diakho playing 90 minutes of center-back on Saturday night against Army West Point, the Mountain Hawks held the Black Knights without a goal for the first 84 minutes of action. Lehigh eventually scored the game-winner in the 90th minute to earn its first victory of the 2021 season and snap a nine-game winless streak.
Jack Sarkos and Euan Forrest were the goal scorers for Lehigh against Army, with Sarkos scoring first in the ninth minute, a great ball from Dominic Flowers by way of Nolan Jetter.
Coming into Saturday's contest, the Mountain Hawks had been held without a goal for the previous 274 minutes, being shut out in back-to-back-to-back games against UMBC, American and Bucknell.
Josh Luchini provided the assist on Sarkos' first goal and continues to pace Lehigh in goals (2), assists (2) and points (6) this season.
The three points earned against Army were mighty important, as the Mountain Hawks are currently tied with Boston University for eighth in the current standings. The top of the table stands with Navy, Army and Holy Cross in a three-way tie at 3-1.
West Virginia is the best team Lehigh will see this season, coming into Tuesday night's matchup currently ranked No. 3 in the country by the United Soccer Coaches.
The Mountaineers played Akron to a double-overtime draw on Thursday night in Morgantown and are 6-0-3 so far this season with nationally-ranked wins over then-No. 3 Pitt (2-1) and then No. 17 Penn State (3-1). Most notably, WVU drew with defending national champion No. 6 Marshall on Sept. 17, 2-2.
WVU averages 1.89 goals per game this season, out-scoring opponents, 17-4 in nine games. The Mountaineers have out-shot opponents, 118-65 averaging 13.1 shots per game.
Individually, WVU has 11 different players scoring 16 goals this season with Yoran Popovic scoring three and Frederik Jorgensen, Kevin Morris and Ciro Bourlot Jaeggi adding two. Pau Jimenez Albeida's three assists are a team-high.
Between the pipes, Steven Tekesky has been one of the nation's best, allowing just four goals in nine games with six shutouts. His 0.41 goals against average ranks seventh in the country and his six shutouts are second-best.
Tuesday nights marks the first matchup all-time between Lehigh and West Virginia. The Mountaineers are the second nationally-ranked foe Lehigh is facing in 2021, falling to then-No. 3 Pitt earlier this season on the road. The Mountain Hawks are 2-3 against nationally-ranked opponents since the 2017 season and haven't won since beating No. 22 Navy 2-0 on the road back on Oct. 19, 2019.
Tuesday evening's fixture will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required) with live stats also being provided.
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
D/M
/ Men's Soccer
D/M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D/M
/ Men's Soccer
M/D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerLehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Wednesday, October 29
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Wednesday, September 17
2025 Lehigh Men's Soccer Season Preview
Tuesday, August 19
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Tuesday, October 15
