A delayed contest in Norfolk
Lehigh University’s men’s soccer squad made its first road trip of the season to Norfolk, Virginia, where it faced Old Dominion Monarchs in a match that was pushed back an hour and a half by inclement weather, shifting the kickoff from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The delay did not dampen the Monarchs’ early momentum; in the ninth minute Noah Dietze headed home a corner kick to give Old Dominion a 1-0 lead that set the tone for the contest.
Jason Purks sealed the outcome in the 84th minute, converting a penalty kick that extended the lead to 2-0 and proved decisive, a moment that was later reviewed under VAR protocols.
Lehigh’s goalkeeper Anton Kinnunen kept the team within striking distance with six saves, yet the Mountain Hawks were forced to operate with only two substitutes because of injuries that limited available players.
Coach Dean Koski praised the energy and effort of his side, acknowledging that they were victims of VAR while stressing the importance of learning from the experience as they turn their focus to upcoming Patriot League fixtures.
The team’s next test arrives on Tuesday, September 1, when they host Fairfield Stags at 6 p.m., a game that will serve as a key stepping stone in their development and preparation for league play.