STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Lehigh men’s soccer team trailed Stony Brook 1-0 heading into the final ten minutes of Friday evening’s game before the Seawolves added a pair of insurance goals to capture the 3-0 win and hand Lehigh its first loss of the season.  The Mountain Hawks fall to 2-1 while the Seawolves improve to 1-2 on the young season.

 

“It was a very peculiar game and I don’t think the score was indicative of how the game was played,” said head coach Dean Koski. “The attitude, mentality and effort were there, we just didn’t finish our chances and weren’t as dangerous as I’d like us to be. We’ll put this behind us and get back to work tomorrow morning.”

 

A wide shot from senior Brian Suchoski opened the contest before Stony Brook’s Martin Giordano got his head on a ball that was headed for the net, but Lehigh keeper Ciaran Nugent was there to make the save. Lehigh threatened with three corner kicks in the next 15 minutes, but the Seawolves defense kept the Mountain Hawks from capitalizing. Nugent made another save before Lehigh fired off eight shots between the 28th and 41st minute, four of which were saved by Seawolves keeper Tom McMahon.  An unlucky bounce off a Lehigh defender’s shin resulted in an own goal in the 43rd minute gave Stony Brook a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

 

“The first goal was unfortunately an own goal and we had to spend the next 45 minutes chasing the game,” said Koski. “When you chase the game you tend to expose yourself a little bit trying to find a goal. The effort was certainly there, but we may be a bit more patient in changing our formations next time.”

 

Junior Jamie Luchini connected on a Lehigh corner kick in the 56th minute, but the first Mountain Hawk chance of the second half was blocked. After Nugent made his fourth save of the game in the 63rd minute, Lehigh continued to press with a shot from freshman Jack Miskel, but McMahon was there once again. Stony Brook’s Martin Giordano scored an insurance goal in the 82nd minute off a cross from Favio Sbarra to give the Seawolves a 2-0 lead with under eight minutes to play.

 

Lehigh had two good chances just a minute later, but McMahon was able to save both. The Seawolves responded with their third goal of the game in the 84th minute when Alejandro Fritz connected on a pass from Keith McKenna.

 

Lehigh held a 16-10 shot advantage. Miskel led Lehigh with four shots, three of which were on goal. Nugent finished the contest with four saves compared to McMahon’s seven.  

 

Statistics from tonight’s game will be posted when available.

 

The Mountain Hawks wrap up a four-game road swing next weekend when Lehigh heads to Rhode Island Friday Sept. 12 before making a trip to Brown Sunday Sept. 14. Lehigh returns home on Sept. 19 to face Stetson at the Ulrich Sports Complex.

 

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