BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A pair of goals from Lehigh men’s soccer junior Brian Vail proved to be the difference as the Mountain Hawks captured a 2-1 win over 14th-ranked American Saturday night at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Lehigh took a 1-0 lead heading into halftime before American found an equalizer five minutes into the second half. Vail sent in the game winner in the 88th minute and senior keeper Ciaran Nugent made six big saves to help Lehigh to a 1-0 start to Patriot League play.  The Mountain Hawks improve to 5-3-0 with the win while American falls to 6-2-1.

 

“Getting three points in your first Patriot League game is really important to us so we’re pleased to have done that today,” said head coach Dean Koski. “American brought a really strong side today and their ranking and success is indicative of how they play. I couldn’t be happier for my guys and I’m proud of the effort they put forth today.”

 

“This win is going to give us a lot of momentum going into Patriot League play and it was exactly what we needed,” said Vail.

 

American controlled momentum for much of the beginning of the contest, tallying seven of the Eagles’ ten first-half shots within the opening 25 minutes.  American’s closest chance came in the 27th minute when Joe Iraola sent a ball in from ten yards out that hit the crossbar and ricocheted out of harm’s way. Lehigh picked up speed from there as junior Austin Decker beat a defender within six yards of the American goal, but fired a shot into the side netting. Lehigh tallied four more shots before Nugent made a diving save in the 41st minute off a header from American’s Jake Garcia.

 

A shot from junior Ryan Bertrando was blocked to set up a Danny Gonzalez corner kick in the 43rd minute. Freshman Doyle Tuvesson got a touch on the ball before Vail headed it into the upper left-hand corner of the net and sent the Mountain Hawks into halftime with a 1-0 lead over the Eagles.

 

American found an equalizer in the 50th minute on a play that was almost identical to Lehigh’s first goal. Christian Robbs got his head on a corner kick to send the ball past the fingertips of Nugent to knot the game at one.

 

The Eagles continued to threaten with plenty of good opportunities, but the Lehigh defense stood tall. The Mountain Hawks had chances of their own as Lehigh fired off nine shots in the first 35 minutes of the second half. In the 82nd minute, Nugent found himself in a one-on-one situation with American’s Jake Garcia as the Eagle attempted to get a header past the keeper, but Nugent stepped up to thwart the opportunity and keep Lehigh in the game.  The Eagles got off four more shots over the next three minutes, but none could find the back of the net.

 

The Mountain Hawks drew a foul just outside American’s 18-yard box in the 88th minute. Luchini sent a free kick into the box and it was bobbled around between players for a few seconds before Vail stepped up to send it right past the American keeper and give the Mountain Hawks a 2-1 league-opening win.

 

American held a 20-17 shot advantage and 7-6 shot on goal edge. Nugent made six big saves compared to American keeper Dylan Hogart’s four.  

 

“Ciaran’s performance makes me appreciate how much we missed him last year,” said Koski. “Ciaran is doing what he does best which is organizing our defense and making key stops back there.”

 

The Mountain Hawks return to action next Saturday Oct. 4 at Bucknell before traveling to rival Lafayette on Wednesday Oct. 8. Both contests are slated for a 7 p.m. start.

 

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