Lehigh Secures Fifth Consecutive Clean Sheet in 0-0 Draw With Columbia

Tuesday, September 22

New York, N.Y.

7:00 PM

Lehigh University

2-2-4, 2-0-0

Columbia

3-1-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Lehigh	0	0	0
Columbia	0	0	0

Photo by: Tommy Herstich

Lehigh Secures Fifth Consecutive Clean Sheet in 0-0 Draw With Columbia

9/22/2026 9:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

NEW YORK – Following back-to-back Patriot League victories, Lehigh men's soccer returned to non-league play on Tuesday evening from the Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium against the Columbia Lions. The Mountain Hawks and Lions played to a 0-0 draw, marking the fifth consecutive shutout that Lehigh has pitched.

"Columbia brought a lot of energy in the first half, and we had a bit of a challenge to match it particularly in the first 30 minutes," said Ingrassia Family men's head soccer coach Dean Koski. "I felt like we played a better second half and created more chances. It's another shutout and good defensive effort by our team."

Lehigh (2-2-4) and Columbia (3-1-2) played even through the first 45 minutes, with both defenses limiting opportunities for the opposing offense. The Lions managed to generate two shots on goal in the frame, but junior goalkeeper Anton Kinnunen made the save on both occasions to keep the game scoreless.

After being outshot 7-2 in the first half, Lehigh's offense picked up in the second, outshooting Columbia 9-8. Sophomore Bridger Baltes nearly broke the tie in 69th minute when his shot bounced over the top of the goal against an empty net. Columbia found another chance late as well, but Kinnunen's fourth save of the night in the 89th minute kept the score at 0-0 as the final whistle sounded.

"We've gotten this team to play defensively together in a cohesive way," said Koski. "We're making strides and we're building confidence, but we still have to do a better job in initiating our attack and making better choices with the ball coming out of our back and I think we'll get there."

Senior Thomas Robertson and first-year Alex Junquera paced the Mountain Hawks offensively with three shots apiece while junior Paul Smajlaj, Baltes, first-year Vito Braun, junior Bora Turker and first-year Massimo Talarico also logged shots in the game.

"We approached tonight knowing that we didn't want to have too many of our players play 90 minutes," said Koski. "We were intentional with managing the minutes of our midfielders, fullbacks, and attackers. We certainly went to the bench more and gave guys more rest than we would in a Patriot League game, but it also gives us a chance to play guys who are ready and who have shown growth and improvement."

The Mountain Hawks will resume Patriot League play on Saturday, September 26 at 6 p.m. against Navy at home at the Ulrich Sports Complex.

"We know how important it is to get points at home," said Koski. "I'm looking forward to Saturday's match and doing our best to get another three points against a Patriot League team, and we know that it will be a challenge."

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