Men’s Soccer in Action at Home Twice This Week

Bronx, N.Y. – Following a pair of conference wins, the Fordham men's soccer team looks to stay on a roll with a pair of home contests at Jack Coffey Field this week.  The Rams host Lehigh on Tuesday in the final non-conference game of the year, while returning to league action on Sunday in the second half of a soccer doubleheader against Davidson.
 
Fordham (5-4-3, 2-1-1 A10) got back on track with two big conference victories over Duquesne and La Salle last week to get over the .500 mark for the first time this season.  Matthew Lewis and Eric Ohlendorf each scored twice last week to lead the Fordham attack.  Lehigh enters Tuesday's non-league game with a 4-8-1 record and have lost three of its last four games.  Mark Forrest paces the Mountainhawks' offense with five goals and 13 points this season.  On Sunday, Davidson comes to town to face the Rams.  The Wildcats are 3-9-1 on the year with a 1-2-1 conference mark after a draw with UMass.  Maxi Pragnell is the top scorer for Davidson, netting a team-high seven goals to go with two assists.
 
GAME COVERAGE:
Tuesday – Lehigh at Fordham - Live Stats | Live Video | Follow on Twitter @FordhamSoccer
 
Sunday – Davidson at Fordham - Live Stats | Live Video | Follow on Twitter @FordhamSoccer
 
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the 13^th meeting between the two former Patriot League rivals.  Lehigh holds a 7-3-2 edge in the series after posting a 3-0 win over Fordham last season in Bethlehem, Pa.  Prior to that game, the Rams were 2-0-2 against the Mountainhawks in the last four meetings.  For Fordham and Davidson, this is the second meeting between the schools.  Fordham won the only match-up last season by a 3-0 score, as Ryan Cupolo, Andrew Hickey, and Jannik Loebe were the three goal scorers for the Rams.
 
LAST TIME OUT (10/15): Behind an early goal by Matthew Lewis and some solid defense on the final attack by La Salle, the Rams posted a 1-0 road win against the Explorers at McCarthy Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The win was a milestone for Fordham head coach Jim McElderry, as it was the 100^th coaching win of his career at Fordham.  He is the third Fordham soccer coach to reach the century mark in wins, joining former men's coach Frank Schnur (260 wins) and former women's coach Ness Selmani (148 wins).
 
The only goal of the contest came early in the seventh minute.  On a free kick, Janos Loebe put a shot on goal that La Salle goalkeeper Mike Kirk stopped, but the rebound was loose in front.  Matthew Lewis quickly pounced on the loose ball, knocking it into the goal for his second goal in as many games.
 
Fordham was able to hold on to that one-goal through a flurry of chances by La Salle.  Fordham goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu had five saves, entering the final seconds of regulation.  La Salle was awarded a late corner kick, where everyone on the field loaded the box.  Johnny Ciarlante was able to get a head on it but Nuhu came up with a final stop to preserve the 1-0 win.
 
However, the excitement off a crazy finish went a touch sour, as following the final horn, there was a scrum in the Fordham goal, where multiple cards were handed out. 
 
WHO'S NEXT: Following this week's action, the Fordham men's soccer team will play only once next week, as the Rams travel to Saint Louis on Saturday, October 29^th, for an 8:00 PM ET start (7:00 PM CT).