LHU men’s soccer cruises to senior-night win over Daemen

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Lock Haven University men’s soccer team (12-2-2) picked up a convincing 4-1 win over visiting Daemen College (4-11) in a non-conference matchup at Hubert Jack Stadium

Before Tuesday night’s match, the Bald Eagles honored the three members of the graduating senior class of 2021: Jason Keller (Port Matilda, Pa./State College), Chase Tackett (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) and Beckham Sibiski (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown H.S.).

Lock Haven led 2-1 at halftime behind two-first half goals from Samuel Hershey (Lancaster, Pa./McCaskey). He opened the scoring just 8:33 into the match after running onto a throw-in from David Dries (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson) down the left side. Hershey’s hard and low left-footed shot tucked neatly into the side-netting at the far post.

Hershey, the Bald Eagles’ rookie-scoring sensation, doubled the lead to 2-0 in the 25th minute. The goal came on a corner kick, as Hershey headed home a perfect cross from the senior Sibiski for his 12th goal of the year.

Against the run of play, Daemon drew a penalty in the 28th minute and the visitors successfully converted, cutting into the Lock Haven lead at 2-1.

Sibiski tallied a goal in the 52nd minute when he collected a bad pass from the Daemon goalkeeper. He took the errant pass and calmly chipped the ball home for a 3-1 LHU lead.

Andrea DiSomma (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Twp.) rounded out the scoring for LHU in the 77th minute when he received a through ball from Sibiski and took on a defender, before finishing sharply to the far post. It marked DiSomma’s sixth goal of the season and Sibiski’s conference-best 12th assist.

The win extended the Bald Eagles streak to six in a row, which is tied for the longest streak for the program since 2006. The 12 wins are also the most since LHU won 13 games in 2007. Of note, the Bald Eagles continued to receive votes in the United Soccer Coaches national rankings.

LHU’s senior center back Chase Tackett (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) put in another stout shift on the backline as the Bald Eagle defense held Daemen in check.

The senior-Keller started in goal for the Bald Eagles and made three saves in his 81 minutes, before freshman Brady Freiwald (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) closed the final 10 minutes.

The Bald Eagles will conclude the regular season on the road on Saturday against Shippensburg. That match is slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff.