Baltes' Goal Lifts Lehigh to 1-0 Shutout of Army, Moves to 2-0 in Patriot League Play

Saturday, September 19

Bethlehem, Pa.

6:00 PM

Lehigh University

2-2-3, 2-0-0

Army

1-4-3, 0-2-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Army West Point	0	0	0
Lehigh	0	1	1

Photo by: Tommy Herstich

Baltes' Goal Lifts Lehigh to 1-0 Shutout of Army, Moves to 2-0 in Patriot League Play

9/19/2026 9:20:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh men's soccer returned to the pitch on Saturday evening from the Ulrich Sports Complex against the Army West Point Black Knights. The Mountain Hawks recorded their fourth consecutive shutout in a 1-0 to move to 2-0 in Patriot League play.

"I'm really happy for the guys," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer Dean Koski. "Army is a tough team to play against. I thought our guys stayed disciplined, stayed resilient, and I liked the way that we consistently tried to compete and attack. We created more shots than we typically do. We would've liked to have more of a cushion, but we'll take the three points against a good Patriot League team."

Many alumni of the program were in attendance for Saturday's game, including members of the 1971 and 2006 Lehigh men's soccer teams as well as recent Lehigh Athletics Hall of Famer Evan Bruno '03. Prior to the game, the new benches on the sidelines at the Ulrich Sports Complex were officially dedicated to those who helped fund the project.

"I was very pleased to see the turnout and it was great to celebrate the bench project with all of the alumni who were a part of it," said Koski. "The Hall of Fame dinner last night was awesome, and I'm very proud of Evan for getting in. Seeing all the alumni who came back to support him was very cool. It's fun when they all come back, and it's even better when we get to celebrate a win for them."

Lehigh (2-2-3, 2-0-0 PL) and Army (1-4-3, 0-2-0 PL) played to a 0-0 draw in the first half, but that wasn't due to a lack of offensive opportunities. The Mountain Hawks put up eight shots in the frame, including two on goal from senior Thomas Roberston and junior Bora Turker.

The Mountain Hawks didn't take long to take the lead in the second half, as sophomore Bridger Baltes netted his first career goal on an assist from junior Aiden Gonzalez to put Lehigh in front 1-0. Alongside an excellent defensive effort from his team, junior goalkeeper Anton Kinnunen made four saves in the second half to secure Lehigh's second league victory of the season.

"I'm really happy for Bridger," said Koski. "He's acclimating to the east coast, Lehigh, and the Patriot League. For him to get his first collegiate goal and for it to be the game-winner in a Patriot League must be really exciting for him and I'm very excited for him as well."

The Mountain Hawks outshot the Black Knights 16-12 in the game while senior Trey Sheeler and sophomore Luciano Larrea led the way offensively for Lehigh with three shots apiece. Kinnunen finished the night making four saves in his fourth consecutive clean sheet and eighth of his career.

"We've been consistent with our defending in the box, which is a big part of this game," said Koski. "Just trying to be consistent with what we do week in and week out has helped."

The Mountain Hawks return to action on Tuesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. on the road at Columbia before continuing league play at home on Saturday, September 26 at 6 p.m.S

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