Tuesday, October 5
Bethlehem, Pa.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
1-8-2
1
vs
1
West Virginia
6-0-4
1
2
3
4
F
West Virginia
1
0
0
0
1
Lehigh
0
1
0
0
1
Lehigh earns 1-1 draw vs. No. 4 West Virginia
10/5/2021 11:35:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's soccer team overcame a first minute goal to finish level with No. 4 West Virginia, 1-1 Tuesday evening at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Sophomore goalkeeper Blake Koski made six clutch saves in replace of the injured Noah Sutherland and Josh Luchini converted on a penalty kick goal in the 75th minute to equalize.
The draw is Lehigh's first result over a ranked opponent at home since beating No. 20 Colgate in 2018 and first overall since a 2-0 win over No. 22 Navy in 2019.
"We're certainly trending in the right direction and to be fair, West Virginia was a really good team and put us under pressure tonight," said The Ingrassia Family Men's Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski. "I like the way we handled the pressure and responded to giving up a goal in the first minute of the game and losing our starting goalkeeper. Just those things could make a team unravel very quickly against a good team like West Virginia, but we didn't.
"We weathered the storm and got out of the half at 1-0 and we were able to re-group and make some minor adjustments. We knew we were going to be under for a little bit, but needed to make sure we were ready for their counterattacks. I thought tonight was a game about grit, mental toughness, perseverance and guys playing together and I think they did a good job."
WVU held just a one-shot advantage at 7-6 at halftime, but out-shot the Mountain Hawks (1-8-2), 18-4 from the second half on and 25-10 for the entirety of the contest.
Sutherland allowed the first goal of the game just 59 seconds into action before being taken out due to injury and replaced by Koski.
The Mountain Hawks recorded the next two shots, both shots blocked from Perry Kingson. Lehigh's only shot on goal of the first half came off the head of Euan Forrest, who scored the game-winner against Army West Point on Saturday night.
Luchini had a shot saved by Steven Tekesky in the 72nd minute and the keeper eventually was shown the yellow card in the 75th that led to the penalty kick strike from Luchini to tie the game at 1-1.
The PK was Luchini's first of the season and his third goal of the campaign so far.
WVU had five chances to win the game in the first overtime period, as well as three in the second OT, but the Lehigh defense stood tough and didn't allow a goal for the remainder of the game.
"There's definitely something to build off these results, but what we need to figure out is how do we play tough in Patriot League matches," said Koski. "How do we compete consistently for 90 minutes. It's great that we can compete against Pitt, Rutgers and West Virginia but we play these games so we can be better against Patriot League opponents and that has to translate at some point."
Perry Kingson's five shots led the team and Josh Luchini finished with two shots on goal, while Euan Forrest added two more.
Blake Koski shut the Mountaineers out of the net in the final 109:01 with six saves on 24 shots faced.
Lehigh led WVU in fouls, 8-7 while Mountaineers had 12 corner kicks to Lehigh's two and seven total offsides calls.
The Mountain Hawks head back on the road for the continuation of Patriot League play on Sunday afternoon at Holy Cross.
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
The draw is Lehigh's first result over a ranked opponent at home since beating No. 20 Colgate in 2018 and first overall since a 2-0 win over No. 22 Navy in 2019.
"We're certainly trending in the right direction and to be fair, West Virginia was a really good team and put us under pressure tonight," said The Ingrassia Family Men's Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski. "I like the way we handled the pressure and responded to giving up a goal in the first minute of the game and losing our starting goalkeeper. Just those things could make a team unravel very quickly against a good team like West Virginia, but we didn't.
"We weathered the storm and got out of the half at 1-0 and we were able to re-group and make some minor adjustments. We knew we were going to be under for a little bit, but needed to make sure we were ready for their counterattacks. I thought tonight was a game about grit, mental toughness, perseverance and guys playing together and I think they did a good job."
WVU held just a one-shot advantage at 7-6 at halftime, but out-shot the Mountain Hawks (1-8-2), 18-4 from the second half on and 25-10 for the entirety of the contest.
Sutherland allowed the first goal of the game just 59 seconds into action before being taken out due to injury and replaced by Koski.
The Mountain Hawks recorded the next two shots, both shots blocked from Perry Kingson. Lehigh's only shot on goal of the first half came off the head of Euan Forrest, who scored the game-winner against Army West Point on Saturday night.
Luchini had a shot saved by Steven Tekesky in the 72nd minute and the keeper eventually was shown the yellow card in the 75th that led to the penalty kick strike from Luchini to tie the game at 1-1.
The PK was Luchini's first of the season and his third goal of the campaign so far.
WVU had five chances to win the game in the first overtime period, as well as three in the second OT, but the Lehigh defense stood tough and didn't allow a goal for the remainder of the game.
"There's definitely something to build off these results, but what we need to figure out is how do we play tough in Patriot League matches," said Koski. "How do we compete consistently for 90 minutes. It's great that we can compete against Pitt, Rutgers and West Virginia but we play these games so we can be better against Patriot League opponents and that has to translate at some point."
Perry Kingson's five shots led the team and Josh Luchini finished with two shots on goal, while Euan Forrest added two more.
Blake Koski shut the Mountaineers out of the net in the final 109:01 with six saves on 24 shots faced.
Lehigh led WVU in fouls, 8-7 while Mountaineers had 12 corner kicks to Lehigh's two and seven total offsides calls.
The Mountain Hawks head back on the road for the continuation of Patriot League play on Sunday afternoon at Holy Cross.
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
WVU
LEHIGH
Goals
1
1
Shots
25
10
Shots on Goal
7
3
Saves
2
6
Corners
12
2
Fouls
7
8
Scoring Plays
Popovic, Yoran (4)
Assisted By: Crooks, Ryan
7 found the opening, through ball to 10
0:59
Luchini, Josh (3)
LEHIGH Luchini, Josh PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 3 for season.
74:31
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
5
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
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