Lehigh Closes out Road Swing With 2-0 Loss to Boston University

Saturday, September 16

Boston, Mass.

5:00 p.m.

Lehigh University

0-4-2, 0-1-0PL

Boston U.

4-2-0, 1-0-0PL

Lehigh

Boston University

Lehigh Closes out Road Swing With 2-0 Loss to Boston University

9/16/2023 8:01:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BOSTON - The Lehigh men's soccer team fell 2-0 to Boston University in the Patriot League opener Saturday night at Nickerson field.

"We felt like we had a really good week of training," said head coach Dean Koski. "The energy was great this week, the mentality was good. We spent a lot of time on the attacking patterns and finishing, but then we came up with very few good opportunities We struggled to connect that final pass."

The Mountain Hawks are now 0-3-3 (0-1 PL) and the Terriers are 4-3-0 (1-0 PL).

Despite the win, Lehigh didn't allow very many chances until the final minute of both halves.

Boston University was able to break through in the 44th minute after Lehigh slid too early on a defensive tackle, which allowed the Terriers an open net, and Alex Bonnington was able to tip it in.

The Terriers went into halftime with a 1-0 lead after the late goal.

Despite some chances in the second half, both defenses stood strong for the majority of the period. Boston University was able to find its second goal in the 89th minute after Lehigh pushed most of its players up in the attacking half to try and find the equalizer and the Terriers had practically an open net, and Eitan Rosen was able to find a goal for Boston University.

"We were throwing numbers forward and trying to press them, and we got caught numbers down - they pretty much had a breakaway, but I would rather lose 2-0, by trying to bring the press than to sit back and walk off with a 1-0 loss,"Koski said. "We really wanted to get that goal."

Boston University outshot Lehigh 7-4. Blake Koski and Francesco Montali both recorded two saves for their respective teams.

Two of Lehigh's shots were on goal. First-year Thomas Robertson tallied a shot on goal, and senior Hassane Diakho also had a shot on goal. Both Mountain Hawks led the way with two shots each on Saturday.

It was no secret that Saturday's game was the league opener, as it was a real chippy game. There were 28 fouls called, with 16 of those fouls on Boston University, and 12 fouls called on Lehigh.

First-year Landon Bealer recorded his first career start on Saturday.

After a four-game road swing, Lehigh will welcome Sacred Heart to the Ulrich Sports Complex on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. matchup against the Pioneers.