Saturday, September 18
Bethlehem, Pa.
7:30 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Loyola (Md.)
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Intriguing matchup between Lehigh, Loyola opens Patriot League slate Saturday
9/17/2021 3:39:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After securing its first draw of the season Tuesday night at Fairleigh Dickinson, the Lehigh men's soccer team returns home to the Ulrich Sports Complex for a Patriot League-opening contest against Loyola Maryland Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., streamed live on ESPN+. The Mountain Hawks (0-4-1) settled for the 1-1 tie against the Knights following a four-game losing streak to open the season for the first time since 2012.
Against the Greyhounds Saturday, Lehigh has an opportunity to begin the second season on a high note, one season removed from going 2-4-0 in Patriot League play in a shortened spring campaign.
Tasked with one of the strongest non-league schedules in the country, ranked 27th in the nation in SoS, Lehigh is well-prepared to face one of toughest conferences in all of NCAA Division I year after year.
Senior forward Josh Luchini is unsurprisingly the Mountain Hawks top goal scorer so far this season with two, both coming in his last two appearances against FDU and Rutgers. Against the Knights on Tuesday, Luchini scored the equalizer on a spectacular flying header strike off the cross from junior forward Jack Sarkos. In addition to his two goals, Luchini also has an assist to his name for five points in five matches.
With three goals scored by players (one own goal), Lehigh has totaled five assists led by junior defender Euan Forrest with two. Luchini, Sarkos and Trevor Koski each have tallied one.
For the first time this season, the Mountain Hawks' defense stood the test of time against FDU, allowing just the one goal early in the second minute of the first half and keeping the Knights out of the net for the next 108 minutes through double overtime. Senior goalkeeper Noah Sutherland had himself his strongest outing yet on the team, registering a career-high nine saves to preserve the draw. In three starts, Sutherland has allowed just four goals with a GAA of 1.24.
For Loyola, a win over Lehigh would go a long way in getting things back on track, having not gained a winning decision since the season opener vs. UC Irvine on Aug. 29. Since then, the Greyhounds have still played well, playing Penn to a 2-2 draw on Monday in Philadelphia after falling to Providence on the road Friday, 3-1.
In both of those matchups, Loyola have been without the services of three-time Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Chase Vosvick, who has missed the last two games due to injury. In his place, the Greyhounds have used Alex Bobocea, who has allowed five goals for a GAA of 2.24 with five saves, going 0-1-1.
On offense, seven different players have factored in Loyola's five goals with Matthew Lala (2) and Justin Ingram (1 G, 1 A) leading the way. Loc San and Daniel Tshiani have also found the back of the net for Steve Nichols' side this season.
This will mark the ninth matchup all-time between Lehigh and Loyola with the record tied 4-4. The Mountain Hawks fell in double-overtime on Mar. 21, 2-1 the last outing between the two sides. Lehigh last topped Loyola on Oct. 12, 2019 by a score of 1-0 after Nick Jennings powered in a penalty kick goal to secure the win. The victory allowed Lehigh to get the tiebreaker over the Greyhounds to clinch just the second regular season title in program history.
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Against the Greyhounds Saturday, Lehigh has an opportunity to begin the second season on a high note, one season removed from going 2-4-0 in Patriot League play in a shortened spring campaign.
Tasked with one of the strongest non-league schedules in the country, ranked 27th in the nation in SoS, Lehigh is well-prepared to face one of toughest conferences in all of NCAA Division I year after year.
Senior forward Josh Luchini is unsurprisingly the Mountain Hawks top goal scorer so far this season with two, both coming in his last two appearances against FDU and Rutgers. Against the Knights on Tuesday, Luchini scored the equalizer on a spectacular flying header strike off the cross from junior forward Jack Sarkos. In addition to his two goals, Luchini also has an assist to his name for five points in five matches.
With three goals scored by players (one own goal), Lehigh has totaled five assists led by junior defender Euan Forrest with two. Luchini, Sarkos and Trevor Koski each have tallied one.
For the first time this season, the Mountain Hawks' defense stood the test of time against FDU, allowing just the one goal early in the second minute of the first half and keeping the Knights out of the net for the next 108 minutes through double overtime. Senior goalkeeper Noah Sutherland had himself his strongest outing yet on the team, registering a career-high nine saves to preserve the draw. In three starts, Sutherland has allowed just four goals with a GAA of 1.24.
For Loyola, a win over Lehigh would go a long way in getting things back on track, having not gained a winning decision since the season opener vs. UC Irvine on Aug. 29. Since then, the Greyhounds have still played well, playing Penn to a 2-2 draw on Monday in Philadelphia after falling to Providence on the road Friday, 3-1.
In both of those matchups, Loyola have been without the services of three-time Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Chase Vosvick, who has missed the last two games due to injury. In his place, the Greyhounds have used Alex Bobocea, who has allowed five goals for a GAA of 2.24 with five saves, going 0-1-1.
On offense, seven different players have factored in Loyola's five goals with Matthew Lala (2) and Justin Ingram (1 G, 1 A) leading the way. Loc San and Daniel Tshiani have also found the back of the net for Steve Nichols' side this season.
This will mark the ninth matchup all-time between Lehigh and Loyola with the record tied 4-4. The Mountain Hawks fell in double-overtime on Mar. 21, 2-1 the last outing between the two sides. Lehigh last topped Loyola on Oct. 12, 2019 by a score of 1-0 after Nick Jennings powered in a penalty kick goal to secure the win. The victory allowed Lehigh to get the tiebreaker over the Greyhounds to clinch just the second regular season title in program history.
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Players Mentioned
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