Saturday, November 15
Bethlehem, Pa.
6:00 PM
Lehigh University
9-5-6, 5-1-3
1
vs
1
Lafayette
8-6-7, 3-2-4
1
2
3
4
5
F
Lafayette
0
1
0
0
0
1
Lehigh
0
1
0
0
0
1
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
No. 2 Lehigh Falls To No. 6 Lafayette In Penalty Kicks In Patriot League Championship Game
11/15/2025 9:59:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – No. 2 Lehigh men's soccer welcomed rival No. 6 Lafayette College to the Ulrich Sports Complex on Saturday evening in the Patriot League Championship Game. The Mountain Hawks and Leopards played to a 1-1 draw through the full 90 minutes and two overtimes, resulting in a penalty kick shootout that Lafayette won 4-1.
"I'm really proud of the season this team had, and I'm gutted for the seniors," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "This game and opportunity to win a championship meant everything to them, and they didn't disappoint me in their performance. I love the way we played all season. I love the way we played tonight, and I wouldn't change anything."
Saturday's attendance of 2,075 was the highest-ever at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Lehigh (9-5-6) and Lafayette (8-6-7) have met in the Patriot League final five times, with the series favoring the Leopards 2-1-2. Both matches between Lehigh and Lafayette this season ended 1-1.
The Mountain Hawks and Leopards played a physical opening 45 minutes that featured nine fouls between both teams. Shots were hard to come by, as Lafayette narrowly edged out Lehigh 3-2 in the category. The Mountain Hawk attack did create several chances, including five corners in the frame, but the match entered the locker room knotted at 0-0.
It did not take long for the tie to be broken in the second half, as sophomore Aiden Gonzalez scored a header on an assist from senior Jason Pynadath in the 47th minute that put Lehigh on top. Lafayette's offense threatened with nine shots in the second half, but the Lehigh defense held strong. In the 87th minute, Lafayette's Jackson Vajda scored off a deflection to break the tie and send the game to overtime.
Lehigh generated several chances through two overtime periods, outshooting Lafayette 5-2 in 20 minutes of extra time. Lafayette goalkeeper Eric Axtman kept the Leopards in the game with three saves across both overtimes. Without a winner through 110 minutes of action, the game headed to penalty kicks.
Lafayette's Samir Dishnica sent one into the back of the net to begin penalties before sophomore Giacomo Zizza's attempt was saved. Joseph Lee then converted for the Leopards to take a 2-0 lead. Bora Turker scored for the Mountain Hawks to make it 2-1 before Gabe Faust responded for the Leopards. Trey Sheeler was unable to score on Lehigh's next attempt, setting up Riley Martin's game-winner for Lafayette.
"I'm proud of the way that this team stuck together and embraced the way that we wanted to play," said Koski. "For us to get to get to the championship game after being picked sixth in league just shows the growth of this group. I'm proud of the student-athletes' commitment to soccer, to the classroom, and managing their lives. Watching them grow from 18-year-old boys to 22-year-old men is still one of the greatest privileges of my career."
Zizza led Lehigh with five shots, including four on goal. Gonzalez, Noah Levy, Thomas Robertson, Shea Coughlin, and Yusef Gueye also recorded shots for Lehigh. Kinnunen made two saves on the evening.
Axtman was named Patriot League Tournament MVP for his efforts, making five saves in Saturday's championship game.
The Mountain Hawks will now set their sights on the offseason.
"I hope that the Lehigh community will put their arms around the seniors when they see them on campus," said Koski. "There were over 2,000 people here tonight to support both teams. At the end of the day, we'll regroup, but right now it's time for the seniors to be embraced and supported."
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
2025 Patriot League Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team
Eric Axtman, Lafayette, Sr., GK – Most Valuable Player
Nicholas Liebich, Lafayette, Sr., D
Riley Martin, Lafayette, So., F
Samir Dishnica, Lafayette, Jr., M
Giacomo Zizza, Lehigh, So., M
Jason Pyandath, Lehigh, Sr., D
Sam Davis, Lehigh Sr., D
Mustapha Sowe, American, Sr., F
Troy Elgersma, American, Sr., M
Diego Rived, Boston University, Sr., M
Alex Bonnington, Boston University, Sr., F
"I'm really proud of the season this team had, and I'm gutted for the seniors," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "This game and opportunity to win a championship meant everything to them, and they didn't disappoint me in their performance. I love the way we played all season. I love the way we played tonight, and I wouldn't change anything."
Saturday's attendance of 2,075 was the highest-ever at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Lehigh (9-5-6) and Lafayette (8-6-7) have met in the Patriot League final five times, with the series favoring the Leopards 2-1-2. Both matches between Lehigh and Lafayette this season ended 1-1.
The Mountain Hawks and Leopards played a physical opening 45 minutes that featured nine fouls between both teams. Shots were hard to come by, as Lafayette narrowly edged out Lehigh 3-2 in the category. The Mountain Hawk attack did create several chances, including five corners in the frame, but the match entered the locker room knotted at 0-0.
It did not take long for the tie to be broken in the second half, as sophomore Aiden Gonzalez scored a header on an assist from senior Jason Pynadath in the 47th minute that put Lehigh on top. Lafayette's offense threatened with nine shots in the second half, but the Lehigh defense held strong. In the 87th minute, Lafayette's Jackson Vajda scored off a deflection to break the tie and send the game to overtime.
Lehigh generated several chances through two overtime periods, outshooting Lafayette 5-2 in 20 minutes of extra time. Lafayette goalkeeper Eric Axtman kept the Leopards in the game with three saves across both overtimes. Without a winner through 110 minutes of action, the game headed to penalty kicks.
Lafayette's Samir Dishnica sent one into the back of the net to begin penalties before sophomore Giacomo Zizza's attempt was saved. Joseph Lee then converted for the Leopards to take a 2-0 lead. Bora Turker scored for the Mountain Hawks to make it 2-1 before Gabe Faust responded for the Leopards. Trey Sheeler was unable to score on Lehigh's next attempt, setting up Riley Martin's game-winner for Lafayette.
"I'm proud of the way that this team stuck together and embraced the way that we wanted to play," said Koski. "For us to get to get to the championship game after being picked sixth in league just shows the growth of this group. I'm proud of the student-athletes' commitment to soccer, to the classroom, and managing their lives. Watching them grow from 18-year-old boys to 22-year-old men is still one of the greatest privileges of my career."
Zizza led Lehigh with five shots, including four on goal. Gonzalez, Noah Levy, Thomas Robertson, Shea Coughlin, and Yusef Gueye also recorded shots for Lehigh. Kinnunen made two saves on the evening.
Axtman was named Patriot League Tournament MVP for his efforts, making five saves in Saturday's championship game.
The Mountain Hawks will now set their sights on the offseason.
"I hope that the Lehigh community will put their arms around the seniors when they see them on campus," said Koski. "There were over 2,000 people here tonight to support both teams. At the end of the day, we'll regroup, but right now it's time for the seniors to be embraced and supported."
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
2025 Patriot League Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team
Eric Axtman, Lafayette, Sr., GK – Most Valuable Player
Nicholas Liebich, Lafayette, Sr., D
Riley Martin, Lafayette, So., F
Samir Dishnica, Lafayette, Jr., M
Giacomo Zizza, Lehigh, So., M
Jason Pyandath, Lehigh, Sr., D
Sam Davis, Lehigh Sr., D
Mustapha Sowe, American, Sr., F
Troy Elgersma, American, Sr., M
Diego Rived, Boston University, Sr., M
Alex Bonnington, Boston University, Sr., F
Team Stats
LAF
LEHIGH
Goals
1
1
Shots
15
11
Shots on Goal
3
6
Saves
5
2
Corners
4
7
Fouls
12
12
Scoring Plays
Aiden Gonzalez (3)
Assisted By: Jason Pynadath
GOAL by LEHIGH Gonzalez, Aiden Assist by Pynadath, Jason.
46:29
Jackson Vajda (1)
GOAL by LAF Vajda, Jackson.
86:45
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
5
SOG
4
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerM
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