LHU men’s soccer surges for three late goals and important PSAC win

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Trailing 1-0 late in an important Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division match, the Lock Haven University men’s soccer team surged to score three goals – all in the final 10 minutes – and the Bald Eagles secured the thrilling, 3-1, comeback-win on Wednesday. The victory pushed LHU atop of the table in the PSAC East.

Lock Haven (8-2-2, 6-1-1 PSAC East) secured the season-sweep of perennial power West Chester (6-2-2, 6-2-1 PSAC East) as LHU notched its second victory over the Golden Rams in 11 days.

The Golden Rams dominated the possession in the first half, but were unable to make the breakthrough and the teams remained scoreless at halftime.

Shortly after the break, West Chester capitalized on a cross into the box and Ryan Keenan volleyed the ball into the back of the net.

Seemingly out of nowhere in the final 10 minutes of the match, the Bald Eagles were given a lifeline from senior captain Beckham Sibiski (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown H.S.) who pounced on a rebound from 23 yards out and fired a low-driven shot into the bottom left corner to tie the game at 1-1.

Just minutes later, Sibiski took a pass from Samuel Hershey (Lancaster, Pa./McCaskey) and launched a beautiful 26-yard effort that flew into the top corner and left the West Chester goalkeeper helpless. Hershey joined the party in the 86th minute for LHU, calmly finishing off a cross from Colton Swanson (Bradford, Pa./Bradford) and giving The Haven a 3-1 advantage.

In all the Bald Eagles netted three goals in the space of just six frenetic minutes for the hugely important conference victory.

Aitor Ruiz de Eguilaz (Euskadi, Spain/Koldo Mitxelena (Robert Morris)) made three saves in net for the Bald Eagles including a massive stop just before the LHU flurry of goals, and kept the team within touching distance.

Chase Tackett (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) and David Dries (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson) commanded the backline in a strong defensive performance that allowed just four shots on goal. Duc Do (New Oxford, Pa./New Oxford) also put in a notable performance providing valuable cover in the midfield unit.

LHU’s next outing comes on Saturday, Oct. 23 when they travel to Bloomsburg. That matchup is set for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff.