BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Despite holding a 25-9 shot advantage, the Lehigh men’s soccer team fell 2-0 to first-place Boston University on a chilly Saturday night at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Lehigh controlled possession for much of the game, but had trouble putting the ball on net as each team finished with five shots on goal. The Mountain Hawks fall to 6-5 overall and 2-2 in the Patriot League while BU improves to 8-2-1 and 4-0 in the league.

 

“It was a frustrating game for the players and the coaches,” said head coach Dean Koski. “I thought our effort was really good today, but our execution was very poor in the final third. You’re not going to win the game if you don’t make another team make saves.”

 

Senior Brian Suchoski got off the first shot of the game in the eighth minute, but it flew wide of the BU goal. The Terriers responded with a drive down field that set up a play inside Lehigh’s 18-yard box. David Amirani was able to connect on a pass from Mac McGuire and send the ball skirting through traffic as Nugent didn’t see it coming and it went into the lower left-hand corner of the net to give the Terriers a 1-0 lead just 8:38 into the game.

 

Nugent made a strong save off a free kick four minutes later as he punched a ball out of harm’s way to keep Lehigh in the game. The Lehigh offense began to pick up momentum in the 24th minute as the Mountain Hawks fired off seven shots in the next ten minutes, but none could find the back of the net. In the 39th minute, BU’s Dominique Badji put the Terriers up 2-0 as he dribbled around the Lehigh defense and sent a ball past Nugent’s fingertips.

 

Just 45 seconds later, freshman Jack Miskel drew a foul inside BU’s 18-yard box to set up a Luchini penalty kick. Luchini’s ball missed by inches as it ricocheted off the crossbar and the Terriers took their 2-0 lead into halftime.

 

The Mountain Hawks continued to threaten the Terriers in the second half, which began with a shot from freshman Doyle Tuvesson that BU keeper Nick Thompson was able to keep out of net with his feet.  Lehigh’s pressure was relentless and the Mountain Hawks limited the Terriers to just four second-half shots while Lehigh racked up 14, but none could find the back of the net.

 

The Mountain Hawks had their final chance in the 89th minute on a free kick from Luchini, but Thompson made a fantastic diving save to preserve his shutout and extend the Terriers’ unbeaten streak to seven games.

 

Tuvesson led Lehigh with six shots, followed by Miskel with five. Nugent finished the game with three saves compared to Thompson’s five.

 

Next up for the Mountain Hawks is a midweek non-league contest at Maryland Wednesday before Lehigh travels to Loyola Saturday. Wednesday’s match is set for 7 p.m. while Saturday’s will kick off at 5 p.m.

 

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