Lehigh University Athletics
Photo by: Holly Fasching
Kelly Scores Game-Winning Goal in 13-12 Victory Vs. Lafayette
4/26/2024 11:00:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
EASTON, Pa. - Sophomore attackman Andrew Kelly rolled behind the cage, faked out a Lafayette defender and was able to put it past the goalie with 2:48 remaining to secure Lehigh's 13-12 victory over the Leopards Friday night at Fisher Stadium in the regular season finale. The win marked Lehigh's 16th straight win over the Leopards. The Mountain Hawks improved to 8-6 (6-2 PL) and also clinched a share of the Patriot League's regular season title and the No. 2 seed in the Patriot League Tournament. The Leopards' season ends at 6-7 (2-6 PL).Â
"I want to give all the credit to coach Meyers and his staff, I have a ton of respect for their team and that senior class," said head coach Will Scudder. "Tonight was an absolute battle. It was anything but clean, and I was disappointed with our poise in the middle of the field. Our guys played extremely hard though, and continued to battle back after going down early. I am proud and grateful that we have earned the opportunity to play another game. We look forward to getting ready for our next one."
Lehigh will play in the Patriot League semifinal on Friday at 7 p.m. at Army West Point and will play the highest seed remaining. Friday's game will air on CBS Sports Network.Â
Quinn Armstrong (3G, 1A) led the way with three goals and Scott Cole (2G, 1A), Dakota Eierman and Kelly (2G, 2A) each netted two goals apiece. Richard Checo (1G), EJ Vasile (1G), Grant Rodny (1G) and Peter Theodoropoulos (1G) also scored for Lehigh.
Friday's game was a back-and-forth affair with four lead changes and seven ties. For the second straight week, Lehigh completed a comeback victory. The Mountain Hawks trailed by as many three goals in the first quarter, but outscored the Leopards 9-6 in the second half to secure the win.Â
Armstrong gave Lehigh its first lead of the day with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter. Lafayette retook the lead three more times after this, but the Mountain Hawks had an answer every single time. Lafayette took a 12-11 lead with 3:54 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Lehigh scored the game's final two goals, recording both goals in 27 seconds.Â
Sean Dow completely dominated the stripe. Dow won 19-of-28 attempts at the stripe (67%) while also picking up 12 ground balls. Dow was also big down the stretch winning 9-of-13 attempts in the fourth quarter.Â
Lehigh won the faceoff battle, but both teams recorded 40 shots as the Leopards were able to capitalize on Lehigh's 20 turnovers. Lafayette finished with 15 turnovers. The Mountain Hawks also held a 38-36 advantage in ground balls.Â
Nick Pecora tallied a game-high of 11 saves. Joe Doeherty recorded 10 saves for the Leopards. Giovanni Procaccini led the way for Lehigh with two caused turnovers. Armstrong, Eierman, Timmy Kirlin and Luke McAuliffe each recorded a caused turnover.Â
Riley Sullivan led the way for Lafayette with three goals.Â
Tuesday's Patriot League quarterfinals feature No. 6 Loyola at No. 3 Navy and No. 5 Colgate at No. 4 Boston U. Lehigh can play either Navy, BU or Colgate in Friday's semifinals
Â
FINAL: @LehighLacrosse 13, @LafayetteMLAX 12
— Inside Lacrosse (@Inside_Lacrosse) April 27, 2024
The Mountain Hawks secure the @PatriotLeague two seed thanks Andrew Kelly's (2G, 2A) winner with just under three mins left.
IL Scoreboard: https://t.co/57X3i1Yggu
pic.twitter.com/Gx3VWrcvdJ
"I want to give all the credit to coach Meyers and his staff, I have a ton of respect for their team and that senior class," said head coach Will Scudder. "Tonight was an absolute battle. It was anything but clean, and I was disappointed with our poise in the middle of the field. Our guys played extremely hard though, and continued to battle back after going down early. I am proud and grateful that we have earned the opportunity to play another game. We look forward to getting ready for our next one."
Lehigh will play in the Patriot League semifinal on Friday at 7 p.m. at Army West Point and will play the highest seed remaining. Friday's game will air on CBS Sports Network.Â
Quinn Armstrong (3G, 1A) led the way with three goals and Scott Cole (2G, 1A), Dakota Eierman and Kelly (2G, 2A) each netted two goals apiece. Richard Checo (1G), EJ Vasile (1G), Grant Rodny (1G) and Peter Theodoropoulos (1G) also scored for Lehigh.
RICHARD CHECO ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! 🤯🤯#PLTop3 #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/tudCCA7Uj3
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) April 27, 2024
Friday's game was a back-and-forth affair with four lead changes and seven ties. For the second straight week, Lehigh completed a comeback victory. The Mountain Hawks trailed by as many three goals in the first quarter, but outscored the Leopards 9-6 in the second half to secure the win.Â
Armstrong gave Lehigh its first lead of the day with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter. Lafayette retook the lead three more times after this, but the Mountain Hawks had an answer every single time. Lafayette took a 12-11 lead with 3:54 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Lehigh scored the game's final two goals, recording both goals in 27 seconds.Â
Sean Dow completely dominated the stripe. Dow won 19-of-28 attempts at the stripe (67%) while also picking up 12 ground balls. Dow was also big down the stretch winning 9-of-13 attempts in the fourth quarter.Â
Lehigh won the faceoff battle, but both teams recorded 40 shots as the Leopards were able to capitalize on Lehigh's 20 turnovers. Lafayette finished with 15 turnovers. The Mountain Hawks also held a 38-36 advantage in ground balls.Â
Nick Pecora tallied a game-high of 11 saves. Joe Doeherty recorded 10 saves for the Leopards. Giovanni Procaccini led the way for Lehigh with two caused turnovers. Armstrong, Eierman, Timmy Kirlin and Luke McAuliffe each recorded a caused turnover.Â
Riley Sullivan led the way for Lafayette with three goals.Â
Tuesday's Patriot League quarterfinals feature No. 6 Loyola at No. 3 Navy and No. 5 Colgate at No. 4 Boston U. Lehigh can play either Navy, BU or Colgate in Friday's semifinals
Â
Players Mentioned
A/M
/ Men's Lacrosse
D
/ Men's Lacrosse
A/M
/ Men's Lacrosse
M
/ Men's Lacrosse
A
/ Men's Lacrosse
D
/ Men's Lacrosse
D
/ Men's Lacrosse
G
/ Men's Lacrosse
M
/ Men's Lacrosse
A
/ Men's Lacrosse
M
/ Men's Lacrosse
2026 Men's Lacrosse Season Preview
Wednesday, February 04
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Lacrosse
Thursday, April 24
2025 Season Preview: Men's Lacrosse
Friday, January 31
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Lacrosse
Wednesday, April 10
