BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men’s soccer team used goals from senior Brian Suchoski and junior Jamie Luchini in addition to a strong defensive effort to capture a 2-1 win over Army Saturday night at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The program’s four seniors Ali Famili, Ciaran Nugent, Matt Shriener and Suchoski were honored at halftime on Senior Night. Lehigh picks up a big three points in Patriot League play and improves to 8-7 overall and 3-3 in league play, while the Black Knights fall to 5-6-4 overall and 2-3-1 in the Patriot League.

 

“This was a huge win for us against what I think is a really good Army team,” said head coach Dean Koski. “Getting that first goal was important. Giving up a goal at the beginning of the second half was a little disappointing, but I like the way that our guys stayed composed and worked their way back in the game and found a goal. I thought we did a nice job of managing the game towards the end.”

 

Luchini tallied the first shot for either team less than a minute into the game, but it flew wide. In the fifth minute, Army had a good opportunity inside Lehigh’s six-yard box, but Nugent was there to save a shot from Nick Williams before the Black Knights’ rebound shot was blocked by Famili. Lehigh immediately countered with an attack down field as Luchini worked his way around the Army defense and put himself in a one-on-one situation with keeper Winston Boldt who was able to make a diving save with his feet.

 

Lehigh continued to pressure and was able to take advantage of its chances 15:08 into the first half when Suchoski was able to send a cross from junior Ryan Bertrando past the diving Boltd and into the lower right-hand corner of the net to give the Mountain Hawks a 1-0 lead.

 

“I was very pleased with Brian Suchoski’s performance tonight,” said Koski. “He really stepped up in a game where we really needed him to step up.”

 

The teams exchanged possession for the majority of the remainder of the half until a free kick from Luchini provided a good opportunity for the Mountain Hawks in the 39th minute. After Luchini’s kick about 40 yards away from Army’s goal, Boltd got tangled up in a pack of players as the ball was bobbled around until freshman Doyle Tuvesson found it and sent it inches high over the net. A few minutes later, the Mountain Hawks had two shots blocked by the Army defense off a corner kick, but Lehigh remained in control as it rode a 1-0 lead into halftime.  

 

The Black Knights found an equalizer just three minutes into the second half as Cameron Niccum got his head on a pass from Justin Kim to send the ball just past Nugent’s fingertips and tie the score at one.

 

The Mountain Hawks continued to apply strong pressure and registered three shots and three corner kicks within the next five minutes, but none could find the back of the net. The Mountain Hawks found the go-ahead goal in the 81st minute when a pass from Tuvesson at the top of the 18-yard box found Luchini on the right side as Luchini shot the ball into the netting along the far post to give Lehigh a 2-1 victory.

 

The Mountain Hawks held a 15-7 shot advantage and 8-5 corner kick edge. Nugent made one save compared to Boldt’s four. Tuvesson led Lehigh with six shots, three of which were on goal.
 

The Mountain Hawks remain home to host Navy Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the final regular-season home game of the year. The game will be broadcast free of charge on the Patriot League Network.

 

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