LHU men’s soccer extends unbeaten streak, downs Shepherd

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.VA – The Lock Haven University men’s soccer team (5-1-2, 3-0-1 PSAC East) pushed its unbeaten streak to six games as it rolled past Shepherd University (1-9, 0-5 PSAC East), 2-0, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action.

LHU, the fourth ranked team in the Atlantic Region, put in a strong 90-minute effort and picked up a decisive road-win, thanks to goals from Zane Puhala (Brockway, Pa./Brockway) and Andrea DiSomma (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Twp.).

Puhala got The Haven started in the 26th minute off an assist from freshman forward Samuel Hershey (Lancaster, Pa./McCaskey). The strike marked Puhala’s third goal on the season and the third assist for Hershey. DiSomma joined the party just 10 minutes later when he finished off his fifth goal on the year, which places him in a tie for fifth-place in the PSAC. Beckham Sibiski (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown H.S.) picked up his sixth assist on DiSomma’s goal and he currently sits in second place in the PSAC.

The Bald Eagle defense completely stifled the Shepherd attack completing its second clean sheet of the year. The starting back four of Chase Tackett (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty), Duc Do (New Oxford, Pa./New Oxford), David Dries (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson) and Connor Burke (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) protected goalkeeper Aitor Ruiz de Eguilaz (Euskadi, Spain/Koldo Mitxelena (Robert Morris)), who made six saves, and allowed just seven shots in a shutout effort.

With the win, LHU extended its unbeaten run to six games (5 wins & 1 draw), which is the longest such run since 2008 when Lock Haven went nine games unbeaten.

The Haven travels to West Chester on Saturday, Oct. 9 for a showdown between the top-two teams in the PSAC East standings. Saturday’s match is set for a noon kickoff.