BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men’s soccer team dropped its second game of the season in overtime to the Stony Brook Seawolves, 1-0 on Friday night in New York. The Mountain Hawk defense was stellar, allowing just two shots-on-goal but missed opportunities and a score in the 94th minute downed Lehigh.

“While I was disappointed in the result, I wasn’t disappointed in our effort and how we played,” said head coach Dean Koski.  “I thought we made progress from the last game. There was a little bit more continuity coming out of our midfield and I thought we had better defense shape when we needed to have it.”

Sophomore Ali Famili led the Mountain Hawk attack, testing the Seawolves goalkeeper twice during the course of the game. Lehigh was also able to get off three second half corner kicks but unable to put the ball in the back of the net. The Mountain Hawks have been unable to score through their first two games of the season but they are improving each game.

“I thought we created better scoring opportunities in this game,” said Koski. “While we had 10 shots to their 14, we required their keeper to make six saves and a couple of them we very big saves.”

Injuries continue to plague the Mountain Hawks as they have been unable to produce a consistent starting line-up. Koski knows that once his team becomes fully healthy, they will able to play with each other and gel as a group.

“We had to take a couple of guys off the card with some injuries and that changes the dynamics,” said Koski. “We have yet to roll out a starting 11 and that will take some time until we get healthy. Once we’re healthy I think we’ll be able to play with a little more consistency and not get as tired.”

Koski has seen the improvement from his team throughout the first two games of the season but realizes that the scoring opportunities need to result in scores. It is only a matter of time before the opportunities turn into goals.

“All-in-all it was an improved performance and we just have to continue to make sure that we find ways to score goals,” said Koski. “Creating chances is important but if you don’t score goals, you’re not winning any games. That’s going to be our focus going into our next game against Saint Peter’s.”

The Mountain Hawks will travel to Jersey City, N.J. to take on the Saint Peter’s Peacocks at 4 p.m. on Sept. 4.

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