Monday, August 25
Lawrenceville, NJ.
7:00 PM
Lehigh University
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Photo by: Kit Keating
Larrea's Game-Winner Sends Lehigh Past Rider 2-1
8/25/2025 9:54:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – After playing to a draw against La Salle on Thursday, Lehigh men's soccer continued the non-league portion of its schedule on the road against the Rider Broncs on Monday evening. The Mountain Hawks and Broncs were tied 1-1 after the first half, but first-year Luciano Larrea delivered the game-winning goal in the 84th minute to secure Lehigh's first victory of the season.
"For us, this is a good result and a good win largely because we had to grind it out," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "We played 19 guys tonight, which we rarely go to the bench that deep. This was for us one of our better team efforts because we needed everybody to step out on the field and play. I'm proud of how we competed and persevered."
Sophomore forward Bora Turker picked up right where he left off, scoring a goal in the third minute off a Giacomo Zizza assist. Turker scored Lehigh's first goal of the season and the first of his career in the Mountain Hawks' previous game.
"We were very pleased to get that first goal, but we have to do a better job and keep playing," said Koski. "I think we kind of sat back a little bit, and they took advantage and scored the tying goal. It was a battle from then on out."
The Broncs found an answer later in the first half, as Gio Polizzi netted an equalizing goal in the 28th minute to send the match to halftime tied 1-1.
Rider came out of the gates very aggressive to start the second half, even scoring a goal in the 63rd minute that was waved off due to offsides. The Broncs outshot the Mountain Hawks 9-3 in the frame, but four saves from goalkeeper Anton Kinnunen kept the lid shut on Rider in the second half.
With under ten minutes to play in the game, Lehigh looked destined for its second consecutive 1-1 draw. However, Larrea had other plans, sending his first career goal to the back of the net in the 84th minute on assists from Yusef Gueye and Jax Adkins. The Broncs were unable to respond in the final six minutes, and the Mountain Hawks held on to win.
"We needed [Luciano] to play more minutes than we would've expected and he carried the minutes well," said Koski.
Larrea led the Mountain Hawks with three shots and two shots on goal. Turker and Gueye provided Lehigh's two other shots on goal.
Kinnunen played very well behind the net, making six saves and four in the second half alone.
"[Anton] was called upon to really make some important saves," said Koski. "A good keeper like Anton is going to have to make one to two saves a half that will keep us in the game. Anton played well and our defense played well, I'm happy for the team."
The Mountain Hawks will play their first home match of the season on Friday against Columbia University at 6 p.m. from the Ulrich Sports Complex.
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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"For us, this is a good result and a good win largely because we had to grind it out," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "We played 19 guys tonight, which we rarely go to the bench that deep. This was for us one of our better team efforts because we needed everybody to step out on the field and play. I'm proud of how we competed and persevered."
Sophomore forward Bora Turker picked up right where he left off, scoring a goal in the third minute off a Giacomo Zizza assist. Turker scored Lehigh's first goal of the season and the first of his career in the Mountain Hawks' previous game.
"We were very pleased to get that first goal, but we have to do a better job and keep playing," said Koski. "I think we kind of sat back a little bit, and they took advantage and scored the tying goal. It was a battle from then on out."
The Broncs found an answer later in the first half, as Gio Polizzi netted an equalizing goal in the 28th minute to send the match to halftime tied 1-1.
Rider came out of the gates very aggressive to start the second half, even scoring a goal in the 63rd minute that was waved off due to offsides. The Broncs outshot the Mountain Hawks 9-3 in the frame, but four saves from goalkeeper Anton Kinnunen kept the lid shut on Rider in the second half.
With under ten minutes to play in the game, Lehigh looked destined for its second consecutive 1-1 draw. However, Larrea had other plans, sending his first career goal to the back of the net in the 84th minute on assists from Yusef Gueye and Jax Adkins. The Broncs were unable to respond in the final six minutes, and the Mountain Hawks held on to win.
"We needed [Luciano] to play more minutes than we would've expected and he carried the minutes well," said Koski.
Larrea led the Mountain Hawks with three shots and two shots on goal. Turker and Gueye provided Lehigh's two other shots on goal.
Kinnunen played very well behind the net, making six saves and four in the second half alone.
"[Anton] was called upon to really make some important saves," said Koski. "A good keeper like Anton is going to have to make one to two saves a half that will keep us in the game. Anton played well and our defense played well, I'm happy for the team."
The Mountain Hawks will play their first home match of the season on Friday against Columbia University at 6 p.m. from the Ulrich Sports Complex.
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Team Stats
LEH
RID
Goals
2
1
Shots
6
16
Shots on Goal
4
7
Saves
6
2
Corners
4
5
Fouls
8
20
Scoring Plays
Bora Turker (2)
Assisted By: Giacomo Zizza
GOAL by LEH Turker, Bora Assist by Zizza, Giacomo.
02:09
Gio Polizzi (1)
Assisted By: Ezra Punselie
GOAL by RID Polizzi, Gio Assist by Punselie, Ezra.
27:00
Luciano Larrea (1)
Assisted By: Yusef Gueye , Jax Adkins
GOAL by LEH Larrea, Luciano Assist by Gueye, Yusef and Adkins, Jax.
83:22
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
D
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