BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 match to Lafayette on Wednesday night at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The Leopards scored the decisive goal in the 35th minute off a penalty kick.

“I liked how we played today,” said head coach Dean Koski. “Their energy was high and I liked the intensity with which we played. I’m not disappointed with our effort. We made progress. We just didn’t get the result.”

The Mountain Hawks tallied the game’s first shot in the fourth minute off a header from senior James Meyerkord that Leopards’ goalkeeper Nathan McDonald was able to keep out of the back of the net. The 25th minute presented a good scoring opportunity for Lafayette when Jeff McLaughlin attempted a bicycle kick off a corner, but Lehigh freshman Justin Worley stepped in to head the ball out of harm’s way. Senior Kyle Lucas was called for a foul in the box in the 35th minute and Lafayette was awarded a penalty kick. Peter Adubato shot the ball into the lower left corner of the net as it skirted just out of the reach of Mountain Hawk freshman goalkeeper Jacob Gottwald.

Worley made his second impressive defensive play in the opening minutes of the second half when he kicked yet another ball that was bound for the net out of trouble. After a Lehigh foul, the Leopards’ Nate Arronson took a free kick that was bound for the net in the 75th minute but Gottwald was able to get his hands on it and pound it over the crossbar to keep Lehigh in the game. The Mountain Hawks picked up speed in the final ten minutes firing three shots and two corner kicks, but McDonald was able to preserve his shutout and give the Leopards their first Patriot League win.

Meyerkord led the way for Lehigh with four shots followed by freshman Gianfranco Giammatteo with two. Gottwald recorded two saves. Lafayette held a 12-10 shot advantage and an 8-7 corner kick advantage.

“Jake Gottwald has shown us those great saves in practice every day,” said Koski. “We know what he’s capable of. We can’t fault him for any of the goals we’ve given up. I’m pleased with how he’s playing and developing and we want to continue to help support him.”

Next up for the Mountain Hawks is a trip to Massachusetts to visit new Patriot League member Boston University. Lehigh will square off against the Terriers on Saturday at 2 p.m as the Mountain Hawks look for their first Patriot League win.

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