Lehigh opens season at JMU Invitational
Live Stats
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Following a memorable 2015 campaign, the Lehigh men's soccer team begins its 2016 season with a busy weekend at the JMU Invitational this weekend. The Mountain Hawks play at host James Madison on Friday evening (7:30 p.m.) before facing Radford on Sunday at 12 p.m. Live stats will be available for this weekend's games (no video).
Lehigh returns a number of key contributors from last season's championship run. Sophomore Mark Forrest is the team's leading returning scorer after recording 26 points (team-leading 11 goals, four assists) in a stellar freshman campaign. Sophomore Alex Greene also had 15 points (five goals, five assists) while junior Doyle Tuvesson recorded 14 (four goals, six assists). Three of the Mountain Hawks' four All-Patriot League honorees from a season ago return (Forrest, senior Justin Worley and senior Danny Gonzalez).
Dating back to last season, Lehigh is 7-1-2 over its last 10 games with the loss coming by a slim 2-1 overtime final at Hofstra in the NCAA Tournament. The Mountain Hawks are riding a six-game regular season unbeaten streak.
James Madison finished 5-10-4 last season, earning a 3-2 win over the College of Charleston in the CAA Tournament, before falling to top-seeded Hofstra. JMU returns its top three scorers from last season, led by Connor Coward, who recorded 10 points (five goals). The Nos. 2 and 3 scorers each had eight points: Billy Metzler (two goals, four assists) and Toby Appleton (three goals, two assists). The Dukes' starting goalkeeper Kyle Morton returns after recording a 1.28 goals against average and .736 save percentage. Morton was named preseason All-CAA while Appleton garnered honorable mention recognition.
Lehigh leads the all-time series with JMU, 2-0-0, defeating the Dukes in 2003 and 2015. Last season, Greene scored both Mountain Hawk goals in a 2-1 win.
Radford is coming off a strong 2015 season, which saw the Highlanders finish 14-4-2 and advance to the NCAA Tournament. In total, five of Radford's top six scorers from last season return, led by Sivert Daehlie, who led the way with 28 points (13 goals, including seven game-winners, two assists). Finn Tiedemann finished second with 17 points (seven goals, three assists). Starting goalkeeper Aitor Pouseu Blanco returns after recording a 0.91 GAA and .731 save percentage. Radford finished first in the preseason Big South poll while Daehlie was named the preseason Attacking Player of the Year and Jo Vetle Rimstad garnered preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Sunday will mark the first-ever meeting between Lehigh and Radford
Following this weekend, Lehigh will head home to host Delaware next Friday (Sept. 2) at 7 p.m.
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