Wednesday, November 3
Hamilton, N.Y.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
5-10-2, 5-4-0
1
at
0
Colgate
0-18-0, 0-9-0
1
2
F
Lehigh
0
1
1
Colgate
0
0
0
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Sarkos' game-winner launches Lehigh over Colgate, clinches home quarterfinal
11/3/2021 11:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer
HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Lehigh men's soccer team will be hosting a Patriot League Quarterfinal game on Saturday evening. The Mountain Hawks (5-10-2, 5-4-0 PL) used a 47th minute goal from Jack Sarkos to upend Colgate, 1-0 in the regular season finale at Colgate. The Raiders (0-18-0, 0-9-0) controlled possession for most of the contest, but Lehigh's backline and solid goalkeeping from sophomore Blake Koski did its jobs to earn the shutout.
A 1-0 final over the Raiders gets Lehigh its third consecutive victory and fourth straight against Patriot League opponents. The Mountain Hawks went from 1-4-0 in league play to 5-4-0 to close it out.
"We started the season winless through our first nine games and 0-3 in the league and finished the season fourth in the league and hosting a Patriot League Quarterfinal game," said The Ingrassia Family Men's Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski. "I'm really happy for the guys, I thought their determination through the month of October and their commitment to turning things around is really admirable.
"I'm thrilled for them that they found their way into the tournament as a fourth-seeded team and with a home game for us."
Lehigh tallied five first half shots starting with a 10th minute chance from Trevor Koski. Blake Koski recorded his first save of the game in the 14th minute on a shot bottom center from Bobby Foose. The Mountain Hawks registered the next five shots including one on goal from Hassane Diakho. Timmy Donovan put one up for Colgate in the 45th minute, but missed wide.
Fifth year senior Stevo Bednarsky set up a good feed to Austen Carranza in the 47th minute to begin the second half that crossed perfectly to Sarkos for the goal, as Lehigh took a 1-0 lead. Sarkos' strike is his eighth of the season and sixth in his last three games, finishing the year as the Patriot League's leading goal scorer. "In the second half of this season, we've seen just how good of a forward Jack is and how dangerous he can be," Koski said. "If he continues to play the way he's been playing and continues to get on the end of balls, he's going to score more goals and help us in the tournament.
"He's had a fantastic end of the regular season for us and I expect he's going to help us continue to have success throughout the tournament. He's been terrific and the amount of goals he has scored has been well-earned."
A flurry of shots between the 65th and 69th minutes missed the mark as Carranza nearly made it 2-0 on what would have been an unbelievable goal that was miraculously saved by Colgate keeper Andrew Cooke.
Colgate, down two goals, tallied the game's final two shots, one saved by Koski in the 75th minute and the other missed out left in the 84th. Lehigh finished the game with the edge in shots, 10-6 and shots on goal, 3-2. Each keeper made two saves and the Raiders finished with the edge in corner kicks, 7-3.
"I was really impressed with Colgate and for them to come out and play the way that they did, knowing that their season is over and it's been challenging for them is a testament not only to the players, but to the coaching staff to keep the guys motivated," said Koski. "I thought they competed for 90 minutes and made it really hard on us.
"I thought our defense did a good job of bending, but not breaking and blocked some shots, but I thought Colgate did a good job of putting pressure on us throughout the game. This is what Saturday is going to look like, it's going be tight and we're going to have to be able to weather those moments."
Sarkos tallied four of Lehigh's 10 shots and a conglomerate of six other players also put up a shot. Blake Koski made two saves to earn his second shutout of the season.
The victory earns Lehigh the No. 4 seed in the Patriot League Tournament and will host Navy Saturday night at the Ulrich Sports Complex, kicking off at 6 p.m. on ESPN+ (subscription required). The last time Lehigh competed in the tournament, it won its third Patriot League Championship in 2019. The Mountain Hawks defeated the Midshipmen on the road earlier this season, 3-2 in overtime. Sarkos scored a hat trick to lead the way.
"It's always going to be different when we get to this point in the season," said Koski. "Against Navy, we just need to do what we need to do to prepare for a tournament game and everybody that has qualified is good and it's going to be a good match. I have great respect for Navy and its coaching staff and team and we have to be at our best in order to beat them."
Tickets for the Patriot League Quarterfinal matchup against Navy on Saturday night at 6 p.m. will go on sale tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:00am! They can be purchased by visiting lehightickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263. Tickets are priced at $5. Patriot League students receive free admission with their school ID.
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
A 1-0 final over the Raiders gets Lehigh its third consecutive victory and fourth straight against Patriot League opponents. The Mountain Hawks went from 1-4-0 in league play to 5-4-0 to close it out.
"We started the season winless through our first nine games and 0-3 in the league and finished the season fourth in the league and hosting a Patriot League Quarterfinal game," said The Ingrassia Family Men's Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski. "I'm really happy for the guys, I thought their determination through the month of October and their commitment to turning things around is really admirable.
"I'm thrilled for them that they found their way into the tournament as a fourth-seeded team and with a home game for us."
Lehigh tallied five first half shots starting with a 10th minute chance from Trevor Koski. Blake Koski recorded his first save of the game in the 14th minute on a shot bottom center from Bobby Foose. The Mountain Hawks registered the next five shots including one on goal from Hassane Diakho. Timmy Donovan put one up for Colgate in the 45th minute, but missed wide.
Fifth year senior Stevo Bednarsky set up a good feed to Austen Carranza in the 47th minute to begin the second half that crossed perfectly to Sarkos for the goal, as Lehigh took a 1-0 lead. Sarkos' strike is his eighth of the season and sixth in his last three games, finishing the year as the Patriot League's leading goal scorer. "In the second half of this season, we've seen just how good of a forward Jack is and how dangerous he can be," Koski said. "If he continues to play the way he's been playing and continues to get on the end of balls, he's going to score more goals and help us in the tournament.
"He's had a fantastic end of the regular season for us and I expect he's going to help us continue to have success throughout the tournament. He's been terrific and the amount of goals he has scored has been well-earned."
A flurry of shots between the 65th and 69th minutes missed the mark as Carranza nearly made it 2-0 on what would have been an unbelievable goal that was miraculously saved by Colgate keeper Andrew Cooke.
Colgate, down two goals, tallied the game's final two shots, one saved by Koski in the 75th minute and the other missed out left in the 84th. Lehigh finished the game with the edge in shots, 10-6 and shots on goal, 3-2. Each keeper made two saves and the Raiders finished with the edge in corner kicks, 7-3.
"I was really impressed with Colgate and for them to come out and play the way that they did, knowing that their season is over and it's been challenging for them is a testament not only to the players, but to the coaching staff to keep the guys motivated," said Koski. "I thought they competed for 90 minutes and made it really hard on us.
"I thought our defense did a good job of bending, but not breaking and blocked some shots, but I thought Colgate did a good job of putting pressure on us throughout the game. This is what Saturday is going to look like, it's going be tight and we're going to have to be able to weather those moments."
Sarkos tallied four of Lehigh's 10 shots and a conglomerate of six other players also put up a shot. Blake Koski made two saves to earn his second shutout of the season.
The victory earns Lehigh the No. 4 seed in the Patriot League Tournament and will host Navy Saturday night at the Ulrich Sports Complex, kicking off at 6 p.m. on ESPN+ (subscription required). The last time Lehigh competed in the tournament, it won its third Patriot League Championship in 2019. The Mountain Hawks defeated the Midshipmen on the road earlier this season, 3-2 in overtime. Sarkos scored a hat trick to lead the way.
"It's always going to be different when we get to this point in the season," said Koski. "Against Navy, we just need to do what we need to do to prepare for a tournament game and everybody that has qualified is good and it's going to be a good match. I have great respect for Navy and its coaching staff and team and we have to be at our best in order to beat them."
Tickets for the Patriot League Quarterfinal matchup against Navy on Saturday night at 6 p.m. will go on sale tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:00am! They can be purchased by visiting lehightickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263. Tickets are priced at $5. Patriot League students receive free admission with their school ID.
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
LEH
COL
Goals
1
0
Shots
10
6
Shots on Goal
3
2
Saves
2
2
Corners
3
7
Fouls
13
11
Scoring Plays
Jack Sarkos (8)
Assisted By: Austen Carranza , Stevo Bednarsky
GOAL by LEH Sarkos, Jack Assist by Carranza, Austen and Bednarsky, Stevo.
46:19
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's SoccerM/F
/ Men's Soccer
D/M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
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