Lehigh University Athletics
Friday, August 21
Bethlehem, Pa.
8:00 PM
Lehigh University
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
vs
4
La Salle
1-0-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Salle | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Lehigh | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Photo by: Tommy Herstich
Lehigh Falls In Season Opener Vs. La Salle
8/21/2026 10:58:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh men's soccer opened the 2026 campaign in front of a crowd of over 1,050 fans against La Salle at the Ulrich Sports Complex on Friday evening. The Mountain Hawks fell by a score of 4-1 in the season opener.
"Disappointed in the result, our ability to finish when we had chances, and our team defending," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "I think we lost the plot a little bit and didn't pay attention to the game plan. But it is game one and we're just trying to get this team sorted out. We'll get there, but this was a bit of a disappointment."
Lehigh (0-1) got the game's scoring started in the 17th minute when La Salle (1-0) goalkeeper Maximillian Retzer punched the ball in the back of the net for an own goal. La Salle's Kyrese Lynch-Bailey evened the score with an unassisted goal in the 37th minute before Toto Esquivel Meza's goal in the 39th lifted the Explorers to a 2-1 halftime advantage.
La Salle extended their lead to two goals early in the second half with a goal from Gabe Faust in the 51st minute. Ten minutes later, the Explorers netted a goal from Alexandru Zama that gave La Salle a three-goal lead. The Mountain Hawks outshot the Explorers in both halves but ultimately were unable to convert on their chances.
First-year Vito Braun led the charge offensively for the Mountain Hawks with seven shots and three shots on goal. Junior Aiden Gonzalez took four shots with one on goal, junior Shea Coughlin recorded two shots, senior Trey Sheeler added one, and senior Thomas Robertson also tallied a shot on goal.
"We had Vito all last spring, so we got a sense of what he can do," said Koski. "We've got a good group of young players. Some are going to help us, some are going to need some time, but I was pleased throughout preseason with their development."
The Mountain Hawks return to the pitch next Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m. on the road at Old Dominion.
"We are going to work on defending in transition, I thought we did a poor job of that tonight," said Koski. "We'll also need to work on managing our emotions in a way that keeps us focused on what the task is."
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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"Disappointed in the result, our ability to finish when we had chances, and our team defending," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "I think we lost the plot a little bit and didn't pay attention to the game plan. But it is game one and we're just trying to get this team sorted out. We'll get there, but this was a bit of a disappointment."
Lehigh (0-1) got the game's scoring started in the 17th minute when La Salle (1-0) goalkeeper Maximillian Retzer punched the ball in the back of the net for an own goal. La Salle's Kyrese Lynch-Bailey evened the score with an unassisted goal in the 37th minute before Toto Esquivel Meza's goal in the 39th lifted the Explorers to a 2-1 halftime advantage.
La Salle extended their lead to two goals early in the second half with a goal from Gabe Faust in the 51st minute. Ten minutes later, the Explorers netted a goal from Alexandru Zama that gave La Salle a three-goal lead. The Mountain Hawks outshot the Explorers in both halves but ultimately were unable to convert on their chances.
First-year Vito Braun led the charge offensively for the Mountain Hawks with seven shots and three shots on goal. Junior Aiden Gonzalez took four shots with one on goal, junior Shea Coughlin recorded two shots, senior Trey Sheeler added one, and senior Thomas Robertson also tallied a shot on goal.
"We had Vito all last spring, so we got a sense of what he can do," said Koski. "We've got a good group of young players. Some are going to help us, some are going to need some time, but I was pleased throughout preseason with their development."
The Mountain Hawks return to the pitch next Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m. on the road at Old Dominion.
"We are going to work on defending in transition, I thought we did a poor job of that tonight," said Koski. "We'll also need to work on managing our emotions in a way that keeps us focused on what the task is."
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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Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerTeam Stats
LASALL
LEHIGH
Goals
4
1
Shots
11
15
Shots on Goal
4
5
Saves
5
0
Corners
2
3
Fouls
13
12
Scoring Plays
0
GOAL by LEHIGH TEAM.
16:15
Kyrese Lynch-Bailey (1)
GOAL by LASALL Lynch-Bailey, Kyrese.
36:36
Alberto "Toto" Esquivel Meza (1)
Assisted By: Davin Millisock
GOAL by LASALL Esquivel Meza, Alberto "Toto" Assist by Millisock, Davin.
38:59
Gabe Faust (1)
Assisted By: Luca Brems-Stamov
GOAL by LASALL Faust, Gabe Assist by Brems-Stamov, Luca.
50:02
Alexandru Zama (1)
Assisted By: Julius de Vries
GOAL by LASALL Zama, Alexandru Assist by de Vries, Julius.
60:30
Game Leaders
mid
Shots
7
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
def
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
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