Lehigh University Athletics
Tuesday, November 11
Bethlehem, Pa.
7:00 PM
Lehigh University
9-5-5, 5-1-3
1
vs
0
Boston University
10-8-0, 5-4-0
1st half1
2nd half2
FinalF
Boston U.
0
0
0
Lehigh
0
1
1
Photo by: Kit Keating
No. 2 Lehigh Advances To Patriot League Championship In 1-0 Win Over No. 4 Boston U.
11/11/2025 10:45:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – No. 2 Lehigh men's soccer hosted a Patriot League semifinal match on Tuesday evening, welcoming the No. 4 Boston University Terriers to the Ulrich Sports Complex. Sophomore Giacomo Zizza netted the game winner in the 54th minute to defeat the Terriers 1-0 and send Lehigh to the championship game.
"This was a team effort," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "We play with grit and resilience, and these guys play together and for one another. That's who we are, and it's going to continue to stay that way."
Lehigh (9-5-5) defeated Boston U. (10-8) in the regular season 2-0 back on October 25 and earned another clean sheet over the Terriers in Tuesday's victory. The Mountain Hawks will meet rival Lafayette in the league championship game on Saturday. Lehigh's last Patriot League championship came in a 1-0 win over the Leopards in 2019.
The Mountain Hawks found an opportunity in the eighth minute of the match when BU's Andrea Di Blasio fouled senior Jason Pynadath in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for junior Thomas Robertson. The Chapel Hill, N.C. native entered the contest 3-3 on penalties on the season, but BU goalkeeper Sheraz Saadat made the save to keep the game scoreless. Lehigh and BU entered the locker room knotted 0-0 with a 5-5 tie in shots.
It didn't take long for the Mountain Hawks to break through in the second half. Pynadath found sophomore Giacomo Zizza on the near side of the pitch in the 54th minute, who then delivered a beauty off his left foot that beat Saadat to give Lehigh a 1-0 lead.
"Giacomo is a first team all-league player, and tonight was a good example of why he was selected," said Koski. "He's uber competitive, can create things for himself and for others. He's got that it factor, and he's got to keep it going and we've got continue to support him."
Lehigh's defense continued to hold strong throughout the rest of the half, maintaining possession and limiting BU's opportunities. Needing a goal to save their season, the Terriers ramped up the pressure, registering five shots in the final 20 minutes. Despite their efforts, the Mountain Hawk defense prevailed and secured the 1-0 shutout over the top-ranked offense in the Patriot League.
"We bent but we didn't break," said Koski. "Boston put a lot of pressure on us at the end of the game, which often happens where you're protecting a lead. We blocked shots, made saves and got the shutout, but more importantly got the win."
Zizza led the Mountain Hawks with four shots and one on goal. Senior Sam Davis, junior Trey Sheeler, sophomore Shea Coughlin, sophomore Ryan Mundy and Robertson also logged shots for Lehigh.
Sophomore goalkeeper Anton Kinnunen was spectacular, making five saves in his fourth shutout of the season.
"Anton's really come into his own in the last few weeks," said Koski. "I think he's progressively gotten better and more confident. He's done a great job of leading the team in the back and they're doing a great job of playing for him."
The Mountain Hawks will host rival No. 6 Lafayette in the Patriot League Championship Game on Saturday, November 15 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available HERE.
"I'm excited for the team, I think it'll be a great matchup in the championship," said Koski. "Lafayette has done a good job in the last stretch of the season to fight their way into it, and I'm hoping it'll be a terrific game for everybody."
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
"This was a team effort," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "We play with grit and resilience, and these guys play together and for one another. That's who we are, and it's going to continue to stay that way."
Lehigh (9-5-5) defeated Boston U. (10-8) in the regular season 2-0 back on October 25 and earned another clean sheet over the Terriers in Tuesday's victory. The Mountain Hawks will meet rival Lafayette in the league championship game on Saturday. Lehigh's last Patriot League championship came in a 1-0 win over the Leopards in 2019.
The Mountain Hawks found an opportunity in the eighth minute of the match when BU's Andrea Di Blasio fouled senior Jason Pynadath in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for junior Thomas Robertson. The Chapel Hill, N.C. native entered the contest 3-3 on penalties on the season, but BU goalkeeper Sheraz Saadat made the save to keep the game scoreless. Lehigh and BU entered the locker room knotted 0-0 with a 5-5 tie in shots.
It didn't take long for the Mountain Hawks to break through in the second half. Pynadath found sophomore Giacomo Zizza on the near side of the pitch in the 54th minute, who then delivered a beauty off his left foot that beat Saadat to give Lehigh a 1-0 lead.
What a finish by Zizza!! We lead 1-0!
— Lehigh Men's Soccer (@LehighMSoccer) November 12, 2025
📺 https://t.co/lxBJLZypOS@PatriotLeague @espn pic.twitter.com/K6s0j3bFM4
"Giacomo is a first team all-league player, and tonight was a good example of why he was selected," said Koski. "He's uber competitive, can create things for himself and for others. He's got that it factor, and he's got to keep it going and we've got continue to support him."
Lehigh's defense continued to hold strong throughout the rest of the half, maintaining possession and limiting BU's opportunities. Needing a goal to save their season, the Terriers ramped up the pressure, registering five shots in the final 20 minutes. Despite their efforts, the Mountain Hawk defense prevailed and secured the 1-0 shutout over the top-ranked offense in the Patriot League.
"We bent but we didn't break," said Koski. "Boston put a lot of pressure on us at the end of the game, which often happens where you're protecting a lead. We blocked shots, made saves and got the shutout, but more importantly got the win."
Zizza led the Mountain Hawks with four shots and one on goal. Senior Sam Davis, junior Trey Sheeler, sophomore Shea Coughlin, sophomore Ryan Mundy and Robertson also logged shots for Lehigh.
Sophomore goalkeeper Anton Kinnunen was spectacular, making five saves in his fourth shutout of the season.
"Anton's really come into his own in the last few weeks," said Koski. "I think he's progressively gotten better and more confident. He's done a great job of leading the team in the back and they're doing a great job of playing for him."
The Mountain Hawks will host rival No. 6 Lafayette in the Patriot League Championship Game on Saturday, November 15 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available HERE.
"I'm excited for the team, I think it'll be a great matchup in the championship," said Koski. "Lafayette has done a good job in the last stretch of the season to fight their way into it, and I'm hoping it'll be a terrific game for everybody."
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
BOSTON
LEHIGH
Goals
0
1
Shots
13
9
Shots on Goal
5
4
Saves
3
5
Corners
2
1
Fouls
9
11
Scoring Plays
Giacomo Zizza (4)
Assisted By: Jason Pynadath
GOAL by LEHIGH Zizza, Giacomo Assist by Pynadath, Jason.
53:47
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
G
/ Men's Soccer
F
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