BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA - Sam Bjork needed just 11 minutes and 40 seconds to write the story of Seton Hall's dominance, slotting home a Til Kauschke cross before a crowd of 842 fans at Ulrich Sports Complex, setting the tone for a 5-1 thrashing of Lehigh that left the Mountain Hawks reeling.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became a relentless assault on Lehigh's defense, with the Black Knights orchestrating a series of attacks that eventually wore down their hosts. Pyry Lampinen doubled the advantage just before halftime, capitalizing on a Liam Guske assist to give Seton Hall a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
As the second half commenced, Mikkel Lejbowicz struck just three minutes in, dispatching a Joseph Min cross with clinical precision to put the visitors up 3-0. The Mountain Hawks managed to pull one back through Matthew Aitchison's effort, assisted by Giacomo Zizza, but it was too little, too late, as Seton Hall responded with two more goals through Lejbowicz and Joseph Waight's strike, assisted by Diego Fernandez.
The Black Knights' attacking prowess was on full display as they outshot Lehigh 20-15 overall and held a commanding 9-6 advantage in shots on target. Seton Hall's efficiency in front of goal was ruthless, converting five of their 20 shot attempts into goals, while Lehigh struggled to capitalize on their chances, managing just one goal from 15 shots. The statistical ledger reveals that despite being evenly matched in corner kicks (3-3), Seton Hall's superior finishing ability proved decisive.
The victory represents more than three points for Seton Hall; it marks their first win against a conference opponent with a strong defensive record. Lehigh, on the other hand, suffered their second consecutive loss, exposing defensive deficiencies that must be addressed ahead of their next match against Boston U. Seton Hall's next challenge comes in the form of St. John's (NY), while Lehigh looks to bounce back against the Terriers.
Looking ahead, the paths diverge sharply for both teams, with Seton Hall seeking to build on their momentum against a tough St. John's side, while Lehigh will need to regroup and reassess their defensive strategy to stem the tide of goals against Boston U. The Mountain Hawks' recent form has been inconsistent, with a 7-5-3 record overall and a 4-1-1 record in conference play, but their loss to Seton Hall has highlighted areas that need improvement.
The afternoon belonged to Seton Hallβand specifically to their attacking duo of Lejbowicz and Bjork. The Black Knights' win was built on a potent combination of tactical nous and clinical finishing, leaving Lehigh to ponder what might have been.
Key Players:
Sam Bjork (Seton Hall) β The match-winner showed predatory instincts, timing his run perfectly to latch onto Til Kauschke's cross before finishing with composure that settled his team's nerves.
Mikkel Lejbowicz (Seton Hall) β Braced Seton Hall's attack with a brace, showcasing his clinical finishing ability and ruthless efficiency in front of goal.
Til Kauschke (Seton Hall) β Orchestrated Seton Hall's attack with precise distribution, creating multiple scoring chances through his incisive passing.
Matthew Aitchison (Lehigh) β The Mountain Hawks' lone bright spot, scoring their only goal of the match with a well-taken finish assisted by Giacomo Zizza.