BOSTON, Mass. - Lehigh (8-5-3) secured a crucial 2-0 road victory over Boston University (8-6-0) on Saturday evening at Nickerson Field, with both goals coming in a decisive five-minute span early in the second half.
The breakthrough came in the 55th minute when Trey Sheeler found the back of the net off a well-worked combination between Thomas Robertson and Aiden Gonzalez. Just moments later, in the 56th minute, Robertson himself doubled Lehigh's advantage with an assist from the duo of Giacomo Zizza and Noah Levy.
The first half saw both teams create opportunities but struggle to find the finishing touch. Boston U.'s Andrea Di Blasio tested the Lehigh defense with shots in the 16th and 19th minutes that sailed high. For Lehigh, Thomas Robertson and Yusef Gueye both had early attempts miss the target, while Diego Rived came close for the Terriers with a low drive in the 10th minute.
After the restart, Lehigh's tactical adjustments paid immediate dividends. The Mountain Hawks' pressure intensified, leading to their two-goal burst. Boston U. attempted to respond through Giuseppe Bagnato and Sebastian Otero, who both had chances in the final 15 minutes, but Lehigh's defense held firm to preserve the clean sheet.
The final statistics reflected the competitive nature of the match, with Boston U. recording 11 shot attempts to Lehigh's 9. The Terriers earned five corner kicks compared to Lehigh's two, but the Mountain Hawks proved more clinical in front of goal. The match saw six yellow cards issued, with Boston U. receiving four and Lehigh two, highlighting the intensity of the contest.
Individually, Thomas Robertson stood out with both a goal and an assist for Lehigh, while Giacomo Zizza's creative influence was evident throughout the match despite receiving a yellow card for unsporting behavior in the 81st minute. Anton Kinnunen earned a caution for time-wasting in the 77th minute as Lehigh protected their lead. For Boston U., Dylan Williams and Pharis Petrica both saw yellow cards in a frustrating second half.
The tactical battle shifted notably after halftime, with Lehigh's adjustments proving decisive. The Mountain Hawks' ability to control the midfield through Aiden Gonzalez and Noah Levy created the platform for their attacking success, while their defensive organization limited Boston U.'s opportunities to build momentum.
This victory extends Lehigh's positive form, bouncing back from their recent loss to Seton Hall. For Boston U., the result marks their third consecutive defeat, a concerning trend as they enter the final stretch of the season. The Terriers' inability to convert their territorial advantage into goals ultimately proved costly.
The match's defining period came during that five-minute spell where Lehigh's clinical finishing made the difference. Despite Boston U.'s late surge, including several set-piece opportunities, the Mountain Hawks' disciplined defensive performance, anchored by their backline and timely interventions, secured the valuable road victory.
Both teams now look ahead to crucial matches on October 31, with Lehigh traveling to face Colgate while Boston U. visits Lafayette, each seeking to build on or bounce back from this result as the season enters its final phase.