Photo by: Matt Smith
Mule' and Lehigh: The Perfect Match
4/20/2023 12:50:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse, Features
Lehigh men's lacrosse senior attackman Christian Mule' has put together one of the most productive careers in program history. Mule' is currently tied for eighth in goals scored (105) and ranks ninth in points scored (167).Â
Mule' is having a career-high season in the brown and white. He has put up 57 points in 11 games, which is the most points he's scored in a season. While Mule' can clearly put the ball in the back of the net, he's become more of a feeder this year. Mule' is fifth in the nation in assists per game (2.91) and eighth in the nation in points per game (5.18).Â
From day one, Mule' has made an impact on this team. He's played in every game since he stepped on campus and started all but one.
"Christian Mule' has been the model of consistency for our program for the past four years," said head coach Kevin Cassese. "He has exemplified our core values of passion, selflessness, discipline, and toughness in every possible way. Statistically, he has quietly put together one of the most impressive careers in Lehigh lacrosse history."
While it's no surprise Mule' has seen success at Lehigh as he was ranked as the No.57 recruit by Inside Lacrosse and was the all-time leader in points (331) and goals (197) at Half Hollow Hills West, the Dix Hills, N.Y. native had a unique journey to get to Lehigh. Mule' didn't even commit to Lehigh until August of 2019.
Mule' committed to Duke as a freshman in high school. His brother Cam was playing there, but in order for Mule' to join his brother, he was going to have to do a prep year at the Salisbury School.Â
"Deep down, I knew it wasn't something I wanted to do," Mule' said. "I was supposed to be a re-class, and coach Cassese reached out and came to my house with coach Scudder. They sat down at my dinner table and made me feel a sense of belonging. I went to visit that next couple of weeks. It was a month before school started my freshman year where I committed to Lehigh. I can say it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Everything happens for a reason, and I was meant to be here."Â
While Mule' wasn't committed to Lehigh until a month before school started, he was joining some familiar faces. Mule' played club lacrosse for Team 91 Long Island Orange Club. Two of Mule's Team 91 teammates were already set to join the Mountain Hawks for the upcoming season. John Sidorski and Justin Tiernan were two of Mule's teammates that committed in the summer of 2017. Nick Turini also played on the same club team, and was a part of the 2024 class.
Although Lehigh lacrosse was getting a new recruit, Cassese had an idea of the type of player he was going to get in Mule' even before he stepped on campus.
"Personally, I knew what I was getting in Christian because I knew the type of person and the kind of competitor his father was, and I knew the core values his father and mother, Jamie, instilled in him during his childhood," Cassese said.Â
Cassese had some familiarity with Mule's dad Jimmy as the two were both involved in Major League Lacrosse, Long Island lacrosse and the club circuit. Jimmy played in Major League Lacrosse after a standout career at St. John's. Jimmy also coached in MLL and was the MLL Coach of the Year in 2010.
Jimmy's involvement in the MLL allowed Christian to grow up around the sport.
"I remember being at the locker room in every game and being on the sides with my brother and going to their practices and fooling around," Mule' said. That's what made me fall in love with the game - just being around the best players, and I always wanted to be like that. I knew how hard they worked. My dad taught me a love for the game, and I'm so thankful for him. I look up to him every day. He's someone that's always there for me."
While Mule's dad coached for the Long Island Lizards, which had plenty of offensive stars, he grew up idolizing Brian Spallina and Nicky Polanco, two of the best defenders in the sport.
 While one might find it a little unique for one of the best offensive guys in the country to emulate their game after defensive players, Mule' was drawn to how passionate and tough they were.Â
"I've always looked up to them and admired how they handled themselves and the toughness and competitiveness they've played with," Mule' said. I've always tried to play like that growing up, and I still do."
When watching Mule' out on the field, it doesn't take long to know he certainly carried those traits over in his game. Whether it's scrapping for a ground ball, causing a turnover, dishing out an assist or taking it to the net, Mule' is going to do whatever it takes to win.
"I've been through a ton of stuff, and I would do anything to be out there with my team," Mule' said. When people look at me, I just want them to remember me as a tough person that gave it everything he had when he stepped on the field and wanted to win more than anyone."
It's no secret that Mule' has seen success at Lehigh, but it has not been easy.Â
When Mule' was a first-year, he only played in six games before COVID canceled his season. The following year, he played in 12 games in a shortened season. In his first full season of college lacrosse as a junior, Mule' put up a season-high of 33 goals. Mule' is continuing to make a big impact in his senior year.
"Christian has grit and is one of the most resilient young men I have ever been around," Cassese said. "He has dealt with a lot of adversity in the last 5-6 years, and he has emerged a stronger and more mature man because of how he has responded to that adversity. Even with all the success he's had throughout his playing career, people like to talk about what Christian can't do, and he has made a habit of proving people wrong, time and time again. He has always brought a team-first mindset, playing several roles within his attack position, and his game has evolved and morphed into whatever is best for the team. He started his career filling a role as a pure goal scorer, and now, in his senior year he has proven to be one of the best feeders in the country. He has become a triple threat, and he can beat you in several ways. He can score, he can pass, and he can dodge."
While Mule' and this program have already achieved a lot of success in his four years, there are still more games to win. Mule' has his eyes set on winning a Patriot League Championship.
Mule' and Lehigh are already one step closer to that journey after clinching a spot in the Patriot League Tournament for the 12th straight year on Sunday after defeating Colgate 15-8.
"It would mean the world to me, "Mule said. The sport of lacrosse means so much to me, and I only have two more years left to play. Being able to win that would be such a great final touch. With this group, it would be really unique."
The journey for Mule' has not been easy, but it's one he's grateful for.
"Everything happens for a reason," Mule' said. "I am so thankful for this program and team and how things ended up for me. Obviously, it was super hard with everything that happened to me, but it turned out to be so great and I wouldn't change a thing. Winning means so much to me, and I spoke about it in my senior reflection, but I feel like this program has turned me into a freshman coming in willing to give his hustle into a senior willing to give his heart and everything out there."Â
Mule' and the Mountain Hawks will travel to Boston University on April 22 in a 12 p.m. battle with the Terriers on CBS Sports Network.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Â
Mule' is having a career-high season in the brown and white. He has put up 57 points in 11 games, which is the most points he's scored in a season. While Mule' can clearly put the ball in the back of the net, he's become more of a feeder this year. Mule' is fifth in the nation in assists per game (2.91) and eighth in the nation in points per game (5.18).Â
From day one, Mule' has made an impact on this team. He's played in every game since he stepped on campus and started all but one.
"Christian Mule' has been the model of consistency for our program for the past four years," said head coach Kevin Cassese. "He has exemplified our core values of passion, selflessness, discipline, and toughness in every possible way. Statistically, he has quietly put together one of the most impressive careers in Lehigh lacrosse history."
While it's no surprise Mule' has seen success at Lehigh as he was ranked as the No.57 recruit by Inside Lacrosse and was the all-time leader in points (331) and goals (197) at Half Hollow Hills West, the Dix Hills, N.Y. native had a unique journey to get to Lehigh. Mule' didn't even commit to Lehigh until August of 2019.
Mule' committed to Duke as a freshman in high school. His brother Cam was playing there, but in order for Mule' to join his brother, he was going to have to do a prep year at the Salisbury School.Â
"Deep down, I knew it wasn't something I wanted to do," Mule' said. "I was supposed to be a re-class, and coach Cassese reached out and came to my house with coach Scudder. They sat down at my dinner table and made me feel a sense of belonging. I went to visit that next couple of weeks. It was a month before school started my freshman year where I committed to Lehigh. I can say it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Everything happens for a reason, and I was meant to be here."Â
While Mule' wasn't committed to Lehigh until a month before school started, he was joining some familiar faces. Mule' played club lacrosse for Team 91 Long Island Orange Club. Two of Mule's Team 91 teammates were already set to join the Mountain Hawks for the upcoming season. John Sidorski and Justin Tiernan were two of Mule's teammates that committed in the summer of 2017. Nick Turini also played on the same club team, and was a part of the 2024 class.
Although Lehigh lacrosse was getting a new recruit, Cassese had an idea of the type of player he was going to get in Mule' even before he stepped on campus.
"Personally, I knew what I was getting in Christian because I knew the type of person and the kind of competitor his father was, and I knew the core values his father and mother, Jamie, instilled in him during his childhood," Cassese said.Â
Cassese had some familiarity with Mule's dad Jimmy as the two were both involved in Major League Lacrosse, Long Island lacrosse and the club circuit. Jimmy played in Major League Lacrosse after a standout career at St. John's. Jimmy also coached in MLL and was the MLL Coach of the Year in 2010.
Jimmy's involvement in the MLL allowed Christian to grow up around the sport.
"I remember being at the locker room in every game and being on the sides with my brother and going to their practices and fooling around," Mule' said. That's what made me fall in love with the game - just being around the best players, and I always wanted to be like that. I knew how hard they worked. My dad taught me a love for the game, and I'm so thankful for him. I look up to him every day. He's someone that's always there for me."
While Mule's dad coached for the Long Island Lizards, which had plenty of offensive stars, he grew up idolizing Brian Spallina and Nicky Polanco, two of the best defenders in the sport.
 While one might find it a little unique for one of the best offensive guys in the country to emulate their game after defensive players, Mule' was drawn to how passionate and tough they were.Â
"I've always looked up to them and admired how they handled themselves and the toughness and competitiveness they've played with," Mule' said. I've always tried to play like that growing up, and I still do."
When watching Mule' out on the field, it doesn't take long to know he certainly carried those traits over in his game. Whether it's scrapping for a ground ball, causing a turnover, dishing out an assist or taking it to the net, Mule' is going to do whatever it takes to win.
"I've been through a ton of stuff, and I would do anything to be out there with my team," Mule' said. When people look at me, I just want them to remember me as a tough person that gave it everything he had when he stepped on the field and wanted to win more than anyone."
It's no secret that Mule' has seen success at Lehigh, but it has not been easy.Â
When Mule' was a first-year, he only played in six games before COVID canceled his season. The following year, he played in 12 games in a shortened season. In his first full season of college lacrosse as a junior, Mule' put up a season-high of 33 goals. Mule' is continuing to make a big impact in his senior year.
"Christian has grit and is one of the most resilient young men I have ever been around," Cassese said. "He has dealt with a lot of adversity in the last 5-6 years, and he has emerged a stronger and more mature man because of how he has responded to that adversity. Even with all the success he's had throughout his playing career, people like to talk about what Christian can't do, and he has made a habit of proving people wrong, time and time again. He has always brought a team-first mindset, playing several roles within his attack position, and his game has evolved and morphed into whatever is best for the team. He started his career filling a role as a pure goal scorer, and now, in his senior year he has proven to be one of the best feeders in the country. He has become a triple threat, and he can beat you in several ways. He can score, he can pass, and he can dodge."
While Mule' and this program have already achieved a lot of success in his four years, there are still more games to win. Mule' has his eyes set on winning a Patriot League Championship.
Mule' and Lehigh are already one step closer to that journey after clinching a spot in the Patriot League Tournament for the 12th straight year on Sunday after defeating Colgate 15-8.
"It would mean the world to me, "Mule said. The sport of lacrosse means so much to me, and I only have two more years left to play. Being able to win that would be such a great final touch. With this group, it would be really unique."
The journey for Mule' has not been easy, but it's one he's grateful for.
"Everything happens for a reason," Mule' said. "I am so thankful for this program and team and how things ended up for me. Obviously, it was super hard with everything that happened to me, but it turned out to be so great and I wouldn't change a thing. Winning means so much to me, and I spoke about it in my senior reflection, but I feel like this program has turned me into a freshman coming in willing to give his hustle into a senior willing to give his heart and everything out there."Â
Mule' and the Mountain Hawks will travel to Boston University on April 22 in a 12 p.m. battle with the Terriers on CBS Sports Network.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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