BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men’s soccer team won its first game of the season on Sunday afternoon as the Mountain Hawks defeated Yale 1-0 at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The decisive goal was scored off a penalty kick in the 36th minute by senior captain Ben Wysocki. This marks the third straight Mountain Hawk win over the Bulldogs.

“It was a pretty evenly played game both ways,” said head coach Dean Koski. “We’re really pleased with the result and our guys have worked hard to get to this point. They worked hard and got the win, which we needed to get behind us. Yale is a very good and well coached team. We knew it would be a contested battle.”

The Mountain Hawks began the game on the defensive side as Yale was able to fire off five shots in the first 20 minutes. Two of the five shots were on goal but Lehigh goalie Kevin Motylewski was able to keep them out of harm’s way. The Mountain Hawks were able to gain momentum as they notched four shots of their own in the following eight minutes. Freshman Gianfranco Giammatteo was fouled by the Yale goalkeeper in the box in the 36th minute. Wysocki stepped in to take the penalty kick and netted a shot into the upper left corner of the goal that was able to get past Yale’s Blake Brown, as the Mountain Hawks took a 1-0 advantage.

Lehigh’s defense remained strong through the second half as it worked to preserve the shutout. The Bulldogs got off six shots in the second half, only two of which were on goal. Motylewski stood strong in goal and finished the game with four saves as the Mountain Hawk defense outlasted the Bulldogs to claim their first win of the season.

Sophomore Jamie Luchini led the Mountain Hawks with three shots, followed by Giamatteo with three. Motylewski recorded his second shutout of the season.

The Mountain Hawks hit the road next weekend to take on La Salle on Saturday, September 21 at 1 p.m. They will then travel to American to open Patriot League play on September 28.

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