Saturday, March 2
Bethlehem, Pa.
11:00 AM
Lehigh University
2-3
8
vs
14
Villanova University
2-2
1
2
3
4
F
Villanova
5
2
3
4
14
Lehigh
2
2
2
2
8
Lehigh Falls 14-8 in Home Opener
3/2/2024 8:29:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh men's lacrosse was denied its second straight win on Saturday morning in the home opener at the Ulrich Sports Complex, falling 14-8 to Villlanova. The Mountain Hawks dropped to 2-3 and the Wildcats improved to 2-2.Â
The Wildcats opened the scoring 55 seconds into the game, and they would not lose their lead for the remainder of the game. Villanova scored the game's first two goals before senior attackman Scott Cole put Lehigh on the board with 5:41 left in the opening frame. Lehigh's one goal deficit would be the fewest goals the Mountain Hawks would trail by for the remainder of the game.Â
Quinn Armstrong led the way for Lehigh with four points (2G, 2A). Cole was the only other player to record multiple points, as he tallied two goals of his own. EJ Vasile, Aidan Decker and Eierman all tallied one goal.
Lehigh trailed 5-2 at the end of the first quarter. Villanova opened the scoring in the second quarter to go up 6-2 before Lehigh scored back-to-back goals. Cole scored his second and final goal of the day and Decker scored his first goal of the year to bring the Mountain Hawks within two. The Wildcats scored the final goal of the first half to take a 7-4 lead.Â
Villanova completely dominated the third quarter, scoring three straight goals. The Wildcats held the Mountain Hawks scoreless in the third frame until 2:33 remaining. The Mountain Hawks would never be able to erase their deficit as Villanova had an answer each time Lehigh would score.Â
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"I don't think they did anything different in the second half, " said head coach Will Scudder. "They just executed better, and they had a good game plan for Scott. They were making it tough for him to get the ball. I thought Villanova played hard, and they shot the ball better."Â
Saturday's statistics were pretty even between both teams. Senior goalkeeper Nick Pecora and Villanova's goalkeeper Anthony Wilson both tallied 14 saves. Both teams were also 13-of-26 at the faceoff x. Matt Brock had a career-high day, winning 7-of-12 at the stripe. Sean Dow was 6-of-14 at the faceoff "x."Â
One thing that wasn't even was turnovers, with the Mountain Hawks holding a 20-15 advantage in that category. Junior defender Raul Ochotorena and sophomore defender Luke McAuliffe both tallied two caused turnovers.Â
The Wildcats were led by Mason Reale, who finished with a game-high six points.Â
The Mountain Hawks will open up Patriot League play on March 9 against Navy. Game time is slated for 3:30 p.m. at the Ulrich Sports Complex.Â
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The Wildcats opened the scoring 55 seconds into the game, and they would not lose their lead for the remainder of the game. Villanova scored the game's first two goals before senior attackman Scott Cole put Lehigh on the board with 5:41 left in the opening frame. Lehigh's one goal deficit would be the fewest goals the Mountain Hawks would trail by for the remainder of the game.Â
Quinn Armstrong led the way for Lehigh with four points (2G, 2A). Cole was the only other player to record multiple points, as he tallied two goals of his own. EJ Vasile, Aidan Decker and Eierman all tallied one goal.
Lehigh trailed 5-2 at the end of the first quarter. Villanova opened the scoring in the second quarter to go up 6-2 before Lehigh scored back-to-back goals. Cole scored his second and final goal of the day and Decker scored his first goal of the year to bring the Mountain Hawks within two. The Wildcats scored the final goal of the first half to take a 7-4 lead.Â
Villanova completely dominated the third quarter, scoring three straight goals. The Wildcats held the Mountain Hawks scoreless in the third frame until 2:33 remaining. The Mountain Hawks would never be able to erase their deficit as Villanova had an answer each time Lehigh would score.Â
Â
"I don't think they did anything different in the second half, " said head coach Will Scudder. "They just executed better, and they had a good game plan for Scott. They were making it tough for him to get the ball. I thought Villanova played hard, and they shot the ball better."Â
Saturday's statistics were pretty even between both teams. Senior goalkeeper Nick Pecora and Villanova's goalkeeper Anthony Wilson both tallied 14 saves. Both teams were also 13-of-26 at the faceoff x. Matt Brock had a career-high day, winning 7-of-12 at the stripe. Sean Dow was 6-of-14 at the faceoff "x."Â
One thing that wasn't even was turnovers, with the Mountain Hawks holding a 20-15 advantage in that category. Junior defender Raul Ochotorena and sophomore defender Luke McAuliffe both tallied two caused turnovers.Â
The Wildcats were led by Mason Reale, who finished with a game-high six points.Â
The Mountain Hawks will open up Patriot League play on March 9 against Navy. Game time is slated for 3:30 p.m. at the Ulrich Sports Complex.Â
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Team Stats
VU
LEHIGH
Shots
39
34
Turnovers
15
20
Caused Turnovers
13
8
Faceoffs Won
13
13
Extra-Man Opps
2
1
Ground Balls
22
26
Game Leaders
Players
G
2
A
2
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
1
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
1
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
Players Mentioned
A/M
/ Men's Lacrosse
FO/M
/ Men's LacrosseA/M
/ Men's LacrosseM
/ Men's Lacrosse
D
/ Men's Lacrosse
DM/LSM
/ Men's Lacrosse
G
/ Men's Lacrosse
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