George Washington University
LEHIGH
Men's Soccer Loses to Lehigh, 2-0
9/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 20, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC - The George Washington University men's soccer team closed its four-match home-stand with a 2-0 loss against regionally-ranked Lehigh at Mount Vernon Athletics Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
Lehigh (6-1-1), which entered the match ranked fifth in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Mid-Atlantic Region poll, got goals from a pair of seniors to send the Colonials to their second consecutive loss following a spirited 2-1 victory versus regionally-ranked American at Mount Vernon a week ago.
Mountain Hawks defender Joe Verdi headed home the game-winner in the 19th minute, finishing a free-kick service from midfielder Adam Gazda. John O'Reilly added an insurance tally in the 60th minute, scoring his team-leading fourth goal of the season on a direct free-kick from 20-yards away.
After falling behind by a goal in the first half, GW (2-4-1) sprung to life early in the second period and nearly tied the match on several occasions. Sophomore David Leon nearly connected on a lengthy free-kick with senior Joseph Siegel for the equalizer in the 47th minute, but Siegel volleyed a shot from six yards away just wide. In the 57th minute, rookie Andrew Stadler challenged Lehigh goalkeeper Jim Morahan for a 50-50 ball inside the 18-yard box and forced a loose ball, only to have it cleared away by a Mountain Hawks' defender.
The Colonials best chance came in the 67th minute when Stadler fired a shot from inside the box that seemed destined for the upper right corner, but Morahan came up with one of his three saves, punching the ball over the crossbar to keep GW scoreless.
GW was out-shot 18-12 in shots and 6-3 in shots on goal, but held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Greg Yahr, who came into the match ranked 13th in the nation with 5.33 saves per game, turned away four shots. Junior Abimbola Pedro led the Colonials with four shots, followed by Siegel, Stadler and junior Greg McKay with two shots apiece.
George Washington will play its final non-conference match at Rider on Saturday, September 23 at 1:00 pm. The Colonials open Atlantic 10 play with home matches against Massachusetts on Friday, September 29 and Rhode Island on Sunday, October 1.
