Guerry’s Late Goal Lifts Men’s Soccer Past Lehigh

Sunday, October 11

West Point, N.Y.

2 PM ET

Army West Point

3-4-3, 1-1-1PL

Lehigh

6-5-1, 1-3-0PL

Lehigh

Army West Point

Guerry’s Late Goal Lifts Men’s Soccer Past Lehigh

October 11, 2015 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Senior Cody Guerry scored two second-half goals, but it was his game winner in the 89th minute that broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Army West Point men's soccer team a 3-2 Patriot League victory over Lehigh on Sunday afternoon at Clinton Field.

Army improves to 3-4-3 overall and 1-1-1 in the conference, while Lehigh, which is ranked fifth in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America Northeast Region poll, falls to 6-5-1 and 1-3-0.

"To give up a goal with three minutes to go can really shake you up," said head coach Russell Payne. "But we clawed back 20 seconds later and that's a huge boost for the guys. We have to figure out how to be a little tighter late in games, but nonetheless, it's three points for our team."

The Black Knights created their first chance of the afternoon just 25 seconds into the opening half, as freshman Brett Becia found his way behind the defense and fired a shot from close range on net that Lehigh keeper Jacob Gottwald saved for the first of his three stops in the match.

Army senior Chris Britt came up with saves in the 7th and 8th minutes, on attempts from Ben Davis and Brian Vail, respectively, to keep the game scoreless. Britt finished the afternoon with five saves.

The Mountain Hawks took a 1-0 advantage in the 41st minute after drawing a Black Knight foul in the 18-yard box that resulted in a penalty kick. Jamie Luchini converted in the penalty, sending the shot into the back of the net inside the right post to put his team up 1-0 heading into the half.

Army found the equalizer not long into the second half, when junior Nick Williams scored on a right-footed shot inside Lehigh's 18-yard box on a cross from the right wing by classmate Christian Clark in the 54th minute.

Guerry netted the go-ahead goal for the Black Knights just 2:35 later after scoring on a second-chance shot. Junior Tanner Vosvick sent a free kick on target that was saved by a diving Gottwald before Guerry knocked home the rebound to give Army a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute.

Clark directed a hard shot wide of Lehigh's left post in the 63rd minute before Justin Worley's chance in the 72nd minute was stopped by Britt to keep to score, 2-1, in favor of Army.

The Mountain Hawks tied the contest at 2-2 in the 88th minute, when Worley scored off a free kick from Luchini. The Black Knights took their second lead of the afternoon just 20 seconds later as Guerry netted his second goal of the game, and third of the season, following a cross from the right side by junior Trase Stapley in 89th minute.

"I couldn't be happier for Cody," Payne said "He was goal-dangerous the whole game. It was a very unselfish game for him, and that's the kind of a player he is. For him to get on the board for two goals is huge. Goals haven't come as easily for him over the last year, but they're starting to for come for him at the right time."

The Black Knights are back at Clinton Field on Saturday, Oct. 17 to take on American at 7 p.m.

MATCH NOTES: Army improves to 21-19-6 in its all-time series against Lehigh after the win … Cody Guerry's two-goal effort was the first multi-goal performance of his career … Sunday's match marked the first multi-goal performance for an Army player since Nick Williams scored twice during a 3-0 victory over VMI in the 2013 season opener on Aug. 30, 2013 … Christian Clark and Tanner Vosvick registered their first points of the season … Brett Becia made his first career start … Trase Stapley made his season debut in the second half, coming on for the Black Knights in the 82nd minute.