WASHINGTON - The second half of Patriot League play awaits the American University men's soccer team, and it begins with a chance to knock first-place Lehigh off the top of the conference table on Saturday. The Eagles are 3-1 in the PL, and currently hold sole possession of third place with five matches remaining. 

Game Information

When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m vs. Lehigh
Where: Washington, D.C. (Reeves Field)
How to watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: HERE
Virtual Program: HERE

Series History

• AU leads the series with a 16-9-5 record against Lehigh, but most recently fell to the Mountain Hawks on the road in 2024 3-1. 
• Lehigh broke the match open in the second half, using a brace from Thomas Robertson and a tally from Yusef Gueye to jump out to take a 3-0 lead. 

What to Know About American

• The Eagles are coming off a two-game skid that snapped a four-match win streak, losing to William and Mary and Lafayette on the road last week. Both losses came via a 1-0 score, with second half goals wounding AU. 
• American did not lack creativity in the attacking third against William and Mary, producing a scoring chance for Sebastian Garces in the first minute of the match that forced a save from Ryan Eapen. Taku Takahashi and Mustapha Sowe nearly connected in the opening minutes of the second half as well.
• Matthew Tibbetts was a bright spot in the loss, making four saves on the night. The senior keeper kept the score tied in the first half, sprawling to make three stops in one sequence. 
• The game-winner came in the 82nd minute for the Tribe, as Devin Cooper leveled his header to the bottom right corner of the net. 
• It was a similar story for the Eagles against Lafayette. They got out on the front foot with two scoring threats created by Troy Elgersma and Mustapha Sowe, but could not convert. 
• Lafayette scored in the opening seconds of the second half when Riley Martin found the bottom right corner on a shot through traffic in the box. AU struggled to open up the home side in the attacking third the rest of the way.
• Despite the bumpy road trip, AU is not far removed from its best form of the season. Just two weeks ago, the Eagles handily defeated Army at home behind three spectacular goals from Garces, Reyes Parra, and Nicholas Beil to secure their fourth win in a row. 
• The senior Garces has leveled up to the best season of his career, matching two goals with two assists across 596 minutes. He's been a mainstay in the lineup, making nine starts this year after cracking the 11 just one time in 2024. 
• Sowe, a graduate student, is also having a productive final season, with two goals and two assists as well. Elgersma leads American with three goals, while being one of the team's most active distributors from the midfield.
• The Eagles are primed to get back in the win column at home, where the squad is undefeated this season (3-0-1). 

What to Know About Lehigh

• Lehigh stands as the only undefeated team in PL play remaining at 3-0-1, coming off a 3-1 win over Holy Cross at home last Sunday. 
• It was a stellar day for Thomas Robertson, who netted all three of Lehigh's goals in the second half for his first career hat trick. His third goal came on a penalty kick that separated the Mountain Hawks from the Crusaders by two with just under 30 minutes remaining. 
• Robertson is now tied for the team-lead in goals with Yusuf Gueye, who has two assists to go with his three goals. Zizza Giacomo stands as the Mountain Hawks' most dangerous distributor, leading the Patriot League in assists with five. 
• Lehigh has a well-rounded roster of attacking weapons, with 10 different goal scorers on the season so far. 
• Even with a winning record, the Mountain Hawks have conceded the second-most goals in the PL with 17. They allow 1.55 goals per game on average, compared to AU's 12 goals allowed and 1.09 per game. 
• The crooked defensive number is accompanied by 18 goals scored, including six games in which Lehigh has scored two or more goals. 
• Sophomore Anton Kinnunen has started every game in goal for the Mountain Hawks, holding 39 saves to his name. 

Keep up With Us

• For the latest on American University men's soccer and to receive in-game upudates, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on X (@AU_MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer). 

Parking on Campus

• As of August 25, parking on campus is being actively monitored seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• We are offering a special Fall Season Parking Pass exclusively for AU Athletics fans and supporters. For just $50, this pass will provide convenient access to campus parking from the date of purchase through November 23. The pass is only valid for home field hockey, volleyball, men's and women's soccer home games.
• Click HERE to purchase your Fall Season Parking Pass.
• If you prefer not to purchase the season pass, parking is still available on a per-event basis.
  • Event Parking: $10 per contest for games held after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends (available through the ParkMobile app in any garage using code (211950).
  • Hourly Parking: Standard hourly garage rates apply from 8 am-10 pm in the Katzen Arts Center and School of International Service garages.
• Find a detailed campus map here.

How to Get to Reeves Field

• Due to ongoing construction of the adjacent Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance, entrance to Reeves Field for early-season home soccer contests will be at the south stairwell.
• From campus parking locations, please use the pedestrian walkway alongside the Media Production Center and enter by the President Kennedy speech marker and flagpole plaza.