Saturday, September 25
Washington, D.C.
2 p.m.
Lehigh University
0-7-1, 0-2-0
0
at
2
American
2-3-2, 1-1-0
1
2
F
Lehigh
0
0
0
American
0
2
2
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Mountain Hawks' sloppy second half results in 2-0 defeat to American
9/25/2021 7:09:00 PM | Men's Soccer
WASHINGTON – Scoreless through the first half, the Lehigh men's soccer team fell victim to a penalty kick goal and another in one minute's time, as American took the 2-0 shutout victory Saturday afternoon at Reeves Field in Patriot League action.
"I thought we played as good of a first half as we played this year," said The Ingrassia Family Men's Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski. "We brought the right kind of intensity, the right attention, the right mentality and right attitude. We played great soccer and put pressure on American and hit the post twice. I liked the way we played in the first half and I was really pleased at halftime.
"In the second half, we gave up a penalty kick and I couldn't tell from my angle whether it was the right call or not, but it was just another unlucky break for us. We went down a goal and were rattled a little bit having played so well up to that point. Our focus wasn't good when we gave up that second goal. And that was it, it was a matter of a couple minutes where we didn't keep our focus and thoughts on the task at hand and that's what happens sometimes."
The Mountain Hawks (0-7-1, 0-2-0 PL) are winless through the team's first eight matches for the first time since starting 0-8 back in 1953 under longtime head coach Bill Christian.
Lehigh registered six shots in the first half including two in the eighth minute when Trevor Koski and Josh Luchini missed on the top and right woodwork.
Noah Sutherland made three saves to keep AU off the scoreboard and Euan Forrest had a shot on goal attempt saved in the 36th minute as both sides headed to the locker room deadlocked at 0-0.
The Mountain Hawks recorded the first three shots of the second half before American scored in the 59th and 60th minutes, one a PK after the Spencer Koski foul and the second a goal for Jerry Zouantcha off the David Coly assist.
Lehigh had three shots on goal – one for Yoni Aidlberg, Josh Luchini and Michael Tahiru – saved in the final 30 minutes as the Eagles held on for the victory.
Luchini led the team with five shots, including one on goal, while Tahiru had two shots. Sutherland allowed the two goals but made three saves.
Shots were tied 13-13, while AU held the edge in shots on goal, 5-4. Lehigh had the advantage on corner kicks (7-4), while American had 18 fouls to Lehigh's 16.
Bucknell comes to town on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for Disc Golf Night at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+.
"We can't change the past. It's always about looking forward to the next game," said Koski. "There's nothing that we can do about where we've been, it's all about where we are today and where we want to be tomorrow. Come Monday, we'll re-group and try to get ourselves ready to play Bucknell."
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
"I thought we played as good of a first half as we played this year," said The Ingrassia Family Men's Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski. "We brought the right kind of intensity, the right attention, the right mentality and right attitude. We played great soccer and put pressure on American and hit the post twice. I liked the way we played in the first half and I was really pleased at halftime.
"In the second half, we gave up a penalty kick and I couldn't tell from my angle whether it was the right call or not, but it was just another unlucky break for us. We went down a goal and were rattled a little bit having played so well up to that point. Our focus wasn't good when we gave up that second goal. And that was it, it was a matter of a couple minutes where we didn't keep our focus and thoughts on the task at hand and that's what happens sometimes."
The Mountain Hawks (0-7-1, 0-2-0 PL) are winless through the team's first eight matches for the first time since starting 0-8 back in 1953 under longtime head coach Bill Christian.
Lehigh registered six shots in the first half including two in the eighth minute when Trevor Koski and Josh Luchini missed on the top and right woodwork.
Noah Sutherland made three saves to keep AU off the scoreboard and Euan Forrest had a shot on goal attempt saved in the 36th minute as both sides headed to the locker room deadlocked at 0-0.
The Mountain Hawks recorded the first three shots of the second half before American scored in the 59th and 60th minutes, one a PK after the Spencer Koski foul and the second a goal for Jerry Zouantcha off the David Coly assist.
Lehigh had three shots on goal – one for Yoni Aidlberg, Josh Luchini and Michael Tahiru – saved in the final 30 minutes as the Eagles held on for the victory.
Luchini led the team with five shots, including one on goal, while Tahiru had two shots. Sutherland allowed the two goals but made three saves.
Shots were tied 13-13, while AU held the edge in shots on goal, 5-4. Lehigh had the advantage on corner kicks (7-4), while American had 18 fouls to Lehigh's 16.
Bucknell comes to town on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for Disc Golf Night at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+.
"We can't change the past. It's always about looking forward to the next game," said Koski. "There's nothing that we can do about where we've been, it's all about where we are today and where we want to be tomorrow. Come Monday, we'll re-group and try to get ourselves ready to play Bucknell."
Like Lehigh Men's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
LEHIGH
AMER
Goals
0
2
Shots
13
13
Shots on Goal
4
5
Saves
3
4
Corners
7
4
Fouls
16
18
Scoring Plays
Robert Matei
AMER Robert Matei PENALTY KICK GOAL.
58:47
Jerry Zouantcha (1)
Assisted By: David Coly
Shot to far post, deflects off inside of post and in the net
59:08
Game Leaders
Shots
5
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's SoccerD
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerF/M
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