BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A pair of goals from freshman Alex Greene proved to be the difference as the Lehigh men’s soccer team grabbed a 2-1 win over James Madison in the Mountain Hawks’ final non-league game of the season. Greene scored his first goal in the 43rd minute and then responded with his second goal in the 72nd minute, just a minute after JMU had tied the game. The Mountain Hawks improve to 8-5-1 overall, while the Dukes fall to 3-8-4.

 

“It was a good game for us with a good result against a good team,” said head coach Dean Koski. “I appreciate that our guys responded well to giving up a goal. We competed well and found a results so I’m happy for the guys.”

 

Senior Jamie Luchini fired the first two shots of the game in the opening five minutes, both of which were stopped by JMU keeper Kyle Morton. A header from Connor Coward in the 11th minute was the Dukes’ first shot of the game and Lehigh sophomore keeper Joe Bogan was able to make the stop. The Mountain Hawks controlled possession for much of the first half and held the Dukes to just three shots. Lehigh had several good scoring opportunities including a shot from senior Austin Decker that bounced off the post in the 38th minute.

 

After peppering James Madison with 11 shots and forcing Morton to make five saves, Greene was able to capitalize in the 43rd minute. Luchini sent a corner kick to the freshman who stood about 25 yards outside of the goal in the center of the field, one touched the ball and sent it perfectly through traffic into the lower right-hand corner of the net to give the Mountain Hawks a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

 

Lehigh kept its pressure up in the second term, out-shooting the Dukes 5-1 through the first half of the stanza. JMU began to pick up pace in the in the 68th minute with a shot that sailed just high before the Dukes found an equalizer in the 71st minute on a goal from Rhys Howards that knotted the score at 1-1.

 

Lehigh countered right away and quickly worked its way downfield. Freshman Mark Forrest got off a shot that Morton stopped before sophomore Doyle Tuvesson sent a pass to Greene at the top of the 18-yard box. Greene sent the ball straight into the lower left-hand corner of the net to record his second goal of the net and put Lehigh right back in front, 2-1.

 

JMU kept up is pressure in an attempt to find another equalizer with five shots and four corner kicks in the remaining minutes, but Bogan and the Lehigh backline stood tough to preserve a 2-1 victory for the Mountain Hawks.

 

Lehigh held a 20-11 shot advantage, while the Dukes controlled a 9-6 corner kick edge. Bogan finished with three saves compared to Morton’s eight.

 

The Mountain Hawks return to action Saturday at Boston University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and free video will be available on the Patriot League Network.

 

Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content and team updates.