BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A goal by the Mountain Hawks in the 31st minute proved to be the difference Wednesday night as Lehigh edged No. 20 Colgate 1-0 in a battle of two top Patriot League squads at the Ulrich Sports Complex.
Lehigh had the opening chance with an early shot blocked followed by a corner kick in the fourth minute. Michael Tahiru lofted a cross into the box but an offside call ended the threat.
Jacob Harris picked up a pair of saves in the 14th minute on a Lehigh breakaway. Mark Forrest sprinted down the right side and attempted to sneak a shot inside the far post. Harris dropped down to make a diving save and turned away the rebound shot from Josh Luchini after a loose ball settled in front.
Kentaro Morrison delivered the first shot on target for the Raiders in the 27th minute. Morrison battled off a defender near the top of the box and cranked a low strike headed for the right post. Lehigh keeper Will Smith dove to make the save, however, and the Mountain Hawks were able to clear.
Lehigh got on the board just over four minutes later. Luchini found an opening in the center of the box and fired a quick shot on goal. Harris dove to make the initial save, but the rebound caromed back to Forrest on the right side for the go-ahead goal in the 31st minute.
The Raiders nearly tied the match in the final seconds of the half.
Abdel Sanogo raced to a loose ball in the near corner and quickly curled a centering pass into the box, where
Lucas Lezcano was in perfect position but his point blank one-timer sailed just high as the Mountain Hawks held their 1-0 lead at the break.
Lehigh controlled possession for the majority of the second half and prevented the Raiders from generating offensive threats.
Colgate's best chance to tie the match came late in the stanza on a long cross from
Will Stroud in the 80th minute, but nobody could connect on the other end as the pass sailed over the end line.
The Raiders finished strong, pressuring in the offensive end over the final five minutes of regulation.
Oliver Harris created space on the left side and fired a shot just wide of the right post as time expired and the Mountain Hawks held on for the 1-0 victory.
BOTTOM LINE
• Lehigh 1, Colgate 0.
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate dropped to 5-2-4 overall and 1-1-1 in Patriot League play.
• Lehigh improved to 6-4-1 on the season and is still unbeaten in league action at 3-0-0.
RAIDER LEADERS
• Morrison and Stroud finished with the shots on target for the Raiders.
• Stroud,
Aram Ouligian,
Christian Clarke, and O. Harris played all 90 minutes in the field for Colgate.
• J. Harris tied his season high with seven saves in the match.
BY THE NUMBERS
• Lehigh recorded eight of its 13 shots on target, while the Raiders struck two of their nine shots on goal.
• Fouls were even at five for each team.
• Each team earned two corner kicks in the contest.
FROM THE SOURCE
• Colgate head coach
Erik Ronning: We are all disappointed with the loss. There were some positive moments, but we could never find a consistent rhythm tonight. It is important for us to move forward and learn from this experience. We now have to turn our focus to American on Saturday.
GATE GRAB BAG
• Attendance at Ulrich Sports Complex was 368.
UP NEXT
• Colgate is back in action Saturday for a key Patriot League matchup against American.
• Kickoff from Beyer-Small '76 Field is slated for 4 p.m.
