BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With the upcoming anticipation of Spring Break and many Lehigh students returning home or heading to warmer climates, the Lehigh men's and women's soccer teams will be sharing a unique experience as both teams will heading overseas for a week-long trip to France.

Fans will be able to follow along as our student-athletes journey overseas. Each day, a new blog post will be posted to Lehighsports.com by both a men's and women's student-athlete recapping the day's events and experiences. Also, be sure to follow each team's social media platforms (listed below) for further day-to-day updates.

Twitter:
Men – @LehighMSoccer
Women – @LehighWSoccer
Instagram:
Men – lehighmenssoccer
Women – lehighwsoccer
Facebook:
Men – Lehigh University Men's Soccer
Women – Lehigh Women's Soccer

The Mountain Hawks will depart the U.S. on Friday evening to head to Le Havre, France where they will be based for the majority of the trip. The focus of the trip will be centered on training sessions, friendly competitions and furthering the development of their teams while being surrounded by a professional atmosphere as the teams will be hosted by the Havre Athletic Club (HAC), a professional soccer club which competes in France's Ligue 2.

"Our team goals will be to use this trip as a platform for continued player development and team development, advance our tactical understanding by playing against seasoned international players, to showcase our team," said Lehigh head men's soccer coach Dean Koski. "Having the opportunity to take the team to Le Havre for a week to train, compete and learn some history is a very unique opportunity for our student-athletes. We will be competing against their U19 Academy team of aspiring professionals, as well as Le Havre's reserve team of full-time professionals, so we will be challenged in these two matches."

Along with dedicating time to training and skill development, the teams will also have opportunities to learn about French culture and experience some of France's more famous attractions. The teams have planned a trip to nearby Normandy and will end will end their trip in Paris where they will take in the sights of the famed city before returning home.

"While the trip will involve soccer and immersing our team into all aspects of Havre AC, it will also include so much more as we will learn about French history and culture in the Upper Normandy region," said Lehigh head women's soccer coach Eric Lambinus "Without question, the highlight of the trip will be the game against HAC women's team in Stade Oceane.  It is a wonderful opportunity to continue our athletic department's goal of representing Lehigh University to new people and places."

This trip would not be possible without the generous contributions of Lehigh alumnus Vince Volpe '80. Volpe, the principal owner and president of HAC since 2015, saw this trip as an opportunity to not only provide an educational experience to the Lehigh student-athletes, but also an opportunity for Lehigh and NCAA Division I soccer to be on display in France.

"All of us are incredibly appreciative of the generosity and interest Vince Volpe showed in our men's and women's programs," stated Koski. "I am thankful to President Simon for orchestrating this trip with Mr. Volpe for both teams and to Joe Sterrett for his support in helping us navigate the myriad of obstacles that are inherent with any international trip by our students."

"The women's soccer program is very appreciative to Mr. Vince Volpe for the opportunity and the experience we are going to embark over spring break," said Lambinus. "It is our goal for our student-athletes to build a relationship with one of our most distinguished alumni, Mr. Vince Volpe, while learning more about ourselves individually and as a team, the soccer environment and overall culture of the Le Havre area."

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Men's Team of the Week: Nov. 25

Women's Team of the Week: Nov. 25

ECNL Boys Ohio Valley Players to Watch