Lehigh tops Loyola, 1-0, for first Patriot League win

 

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men’s soccer team captured its first Patriot League win and second win of the season in a 1-0 shutout of Loyola at the Ulrich Sports Complex on Saturday night. The Lehigh defense stepped up to limit Loyola’s talented offense as Lehigh freshman Gianfranco Giammatteo scored the game-winning goal in the 20th minute.

 

“I’m extremely proud of the effort they gave today,” said head coach Dean Koski. “It’s been a challenging season, and I’m very proud of how they have carried themselves. We beat a good team tonight.”

 

The Greyhounds had numerous chances in the opening minutes of the first half but Loyola couldn’t capitalize on the pristine crosses that were being served. A defensive miscue from the Greyhounds in the 20th minute allowed Giammatteo to sneak a ball past Loyola Keeper Zach Kane. Giammatteo’s goal was the first Mountain Hawk goal since Sept. 15 when Lehigh beat Yale 1-0.

 

The Mountain Hawks continued to hold off the pressing Loyola offense for the remainder of the first half, as the Greyhounds tallied six shots through the opening 45 minutes.

 

Loyola continued to threaten as the second half opened when a shot from Ryan Tuck hit the post and the Mountain Hawk defense quickly cleared the ball as the Greyhounds just missed scoring the equalizer. Lehigh freshman keeper Jacob Gottwald notched his first save in the 50th minute on a shot from Loyola’s Connor Thomspon. Junior Ali Famili and sophomore Brian Vail both threatened with shots on goal in the following 15 minutes, but Kane was able to keep the shots out of the net and keep Loyola in the game.

 

A Greyhound corner kick in the 58th minute posed a threat to the Mountain Hawks’ lead, but freshman Justin Worley blocked a shot that was headed for the net to keep Lehigh out of trouble. Lehigh answered with a counter-attack, recording three shots on goal in the following 15 minutes.

 

Loyola’s Larry Ndjock, the Patriot League’s leading goal scorer, had one of the game’s better scoring opportunites in the 82nd minute, but Gottawald let made a diving save to keep his shutout alive. The shot was Ndjock’s first on goal of the game as the Lehigh defense led by sophomore Ben Davis and Worley successfully limited Ndjock’s chances.

 

Three  Loyola corner kicks in the final three minutes of the game threatened to end the shutout, but Gottwald stepped up to pound one over the crossbar while the others were sent wide.

 

The Greyhounds held a 18-6 shot advantage, but the teams were even with six shots on goal apiece. Giammatteo and Famili each tallied two shots on goal for the Mountain Hawks, while Gottwald finished the game with six saves.

 

“In the Patriot League it’s all about winning when you can,” said Koski. “It was great to get a goal from Gio, and Jimmy Meyerkord stepped up in his first career defensive game.”

 

The Mountain Hawks remain home to host Stony Brook on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The game will serve as Lehigh’s final non-league tilt of the season. Fans can watch the game live on the Patriot League Network.

 

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