Saturday, October 18
Bethlehem, Pa.
1:00 PM
Lehigh University
7-4-3, 4-1-1
2
vs
1
Bucknell
7-4-3, 3-2-1
1
2
F
Bucknell
1
0
1
Lehigh
1
1
2
Photo by: Kit Keating
Lehigh Downs Bucknell 2-1 On Senior Day
10/18/2025 4:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh men's soccer celebrated its 2025 senior class on Saturday afternoon from the Ulrich Sports Complex, welcoming the Bucknell Bison to town on Senior Day. The Mountain Hawks broke a 1-1 tie in the 85th minute to secure a 2-1 win and important three points in the Patriot League standings.
"I'm really happy for the team, particularly the seniors on Senior Day," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "It's so cool for them to get a win against one of the best teams in the league,"
Lehigh (7-4-3, 4-1-1 PL) didn't take long to score the game's opening goal, as sophomore Giacomo Zizza scored in the eighth minute on Bucknell (7-3-3, 3-2-1 PL) goalkeeper Freddie Lapworth on assists from senior Noah Levy and sophomore Bora Turker. The Bison matched the Mountain Hawks with a first half goal of their own when Jackson Sullivan headed in his third goal of the season off a Lehigh deflection.
Lehigh's senior recognitions for the class of 2025 took place during halftime. Matthew Aitchison, Fernando Cohate, Sam Davis, Yusef Gueye, Noah Levy, Gennaro Mazzella, Jason Pynadath and Beckett Wenger were all honored alongside their family and friends.
"This class has been through all the ups and downs of a Patriot League season over the past three and a half years," said Koski. "They've experienced the struggles, and for us to be where we're at with our season, I'm happy for them because they are all strong contributors on and off the field."
The Bison dominated possession in the second half, keeping the ball in their attacking third for the majority of the frame. Bucknell outshot Lehigh 10-1 in the second half, however, the Lehigh defense held strong. With time running out in the match, junior Thomas Robertson was the hero, netting his fifth goal of the season in the 85th minute to secure an important league victory for the Mountain Hawks.
"We have to be a bend but don't break team," said Koski. "It was frustrating to give up a goal on a restart early on, but we're continuing to get better defensively. We knew what we were up against. We weren't worried about how much we kept the ball, we were just trying to be thoughtful with how we countered them."
The two teams entered the afternoon with ten points each, tied for third in the Patriot League. The win puts Lehigh temporarily at the head of the Patriot League table with 13 points.
Davis, Levy, Paul Smajlaj, Turker and Aiden Gonzalez also recorded shots in the contest in addition to Lehigh's two goal scorers. Sophomore goalkeeper Anton Kinnunen made four saves in Saturday's win.
The Mountain Hawks return to the Ulrich Sports Complex on Tuesday, October 21 at 6 p.m. to take on Seton Hall before returning to Patriot League play on the road at Boston University on Saturday, October 25.
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Â
"I'm really happy for the team, particularly the seniors on Senior Day," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "It's so cool for them to get a win against one of the best teams in the league,"
Lehigh (7-4-3, 4-1-1 PL) didn't take long to score the game's opening goal, as sophomore Giacomo Zizza scored in the eighth minute on Bucknell (7-3-3, 3-2-1 PL) goalkeeper Freddie Lapworth on assists from senior Noah Levy and sophomore Bora Turker. The Bison matched the Mountain Hawks with a first half goal of their own when Jackson Sullivan headed in his third goal of the season off a Lehigh deflection.
Lehigh's senior recognitions for the class of 2025 took place during halftime. Matthew Aitchison, Fernando Cohate, Sam Davis, Yusef Gueye, Noah Levy, Gennaro Mazzella, Jason Pynadath and Beckett Wenger were all honored alongside their family and friends.
"This class has been through all the ups and downs of a Patriot League season over the past three and a half years," said Koski. "They've experienced the struggles, and for us to be where we're at with our season, I'm happy for them because they are all strong contributors on and off the field."
The Bison dominated possession in the second half, keeping the ball in their attacking third for the majority of the frame. Bucknell outshot Lehigh 10-1 in the second half, however, the Lehigh defense held strong. With time running out in the match, junior Thomas Robertson was the hero, netting his fifth goal of the season in the 85th minute to secure an important league victory for the Mountain Hawks.
"We have to be a bend but don't break team," said Koski. "It was frustrating to give up a goal on a restart early on, but we're continuing to get better defensively. We knew what we were up against. We weren't worried about how much we kept the ball, we were just trying to be thoughtful with how we countered them."
The two teams entered the afternoon with ten points each, tied for third in the Patriot League. The win puts Lehigh temporarily at the head of the Patriot League table with 13 points.
Davis, Levy, Paul Smajlaj, Turker and Aiden Gonzalez also recorded shots in the contest in addition to Lehigh's two goal scorers. Sophomore goalkeeper Anton Kinnunen made four saves in Saturday's win.
The Mountain Hawks return to the Ulrich Sports Complex on Tuesday, October 21 at 6 p.m. to take on Seton Hall before returning to Patriot League play on the road at Boston University on Saturday, October 25.
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Â
Team Stats
BUCKNL
LEHIGH
Goals
1
2
Shots
14
7
Shots on Goal
5
5
Saves
2
4
Corners
4
3
Fouls
5
6
Scoring Plays
Giacomo Zizza (3)
Assisted By: Bora Turker , Noah Levy
GOAL by LEHIGH Zizza, Giacomo Assist by Turker, Bora and Levy, Noah.
07:15
Jackson Sullivan (3)
GOAL by BUCKNL Sullivan, Jackson.
16:23
Thomas Robertson (5)
GOAL by LEHIGH Robertson, Thomas.
84:25
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
G
/ Men's Soccer
F/M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
M/F
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's SoccerLehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Wednesday, September 17
2025 Lehigh Men's Soccer Season Preview
Tuesday, August 19
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Tuesday, October 15
Season Preview: Men's Soccer
Tuesday, August 20
