Box Score WASHINGTON – Chris Fanet and Joe Iraola scored goals and Liam Robley notched a pair of assists as American played Lehigh to a 2-2 draw in a Patriot League men's soccer match Saturday at Reeves Field.
The result clinched the third spot in the PL standings, as Saturday's match was the last of the regular season. American will host a quarterfinal match at 2 p.m. on Tuesday against an opponent yet to be determined.
"We cherish the fact we can play more soccer," said head coach Todd West. "It's nice to have a home game. We are going to have to play our way into the NCAA Tournament."
The Eagles ran an unbeaten streak to eight matches with the draw and are now 12-4-3 overall and end league play with a 5-2-2 mark.
The Mountain Hawks are 10-5-3 overall and 4-3-2 in the league.
Ben Davis put Lehigh ahead with 35:36 gone in the first half, converting a free kick and sending a shot just under the crossbar. The goal ended a streak of 798 scoreless minutes for the Eagles' defense, which last surrendered a goal on Oct. 3.
"That's soccer," said West. "We had a seven-game shutout streak and really defended well. I would have rather had it broken on the second goal as it was a great shot in any league."
Chris Fanet erased the 1-0 halftime deficit by scoring just 4:22 into the second half. He converted a corner kick service to the far post by Robley to equalize the match.
Robley and Joel Hart combined on some slick passing just five minutes later, setting up Iraola in front to boot home a shot inside the left post.
The Eagles' advantage held until 27:59 remained in regulation when Lehigh's Danny Gonzalez sent a long blast from well outside the box inside the left post to equalize the match.
American held an 18-15 edge in shots, including a 12-4 advantage in the second half.
Lehigh goalkeeper Joe Bogan made seven saves, while AU keeper Dylan Hobert finished with four.