Photo courtesy of Villanova Athletics)
Throughout the season, Villanova has occupied a strange space. Itâs a team that typically is good for an early-season out-of-conference upset â like Maryland in 2020 and â17, Yale in â19 and â18.Â
With a Big East-only schedule for most of 2021, that wasnât an option, and the Wildcats rolled through league competition but hadnât been able to get past Top 10 teams Denver and Georgetown, despite a game against each decided by one goal.
Combine that with a one-sided season-opening loss to the Hoyas that grabbed headlines, and Villanovaâs sat somewhere toward the back of the Top 20 without much fanfare â but still talented and dangerous.
Lehigh coach Kevin Cassese said that this year, Cole Kirst’s mentality is different.
“Every time he has the ball, he thinks he can score,” Cassese said.
Good thing it ended up in his stick with two minutes left and the game tied Saturday. He bombed an outside shot that inadvertently hopped into his crosse, then the Hawks’ defense held off a late Army surge for a 13-12 win.
Lehigh remains unbeaten at 5-0.
Michael Sisselberger was dominant yet again, winning 23-of-27 face-offs. He’s taken the reins as Lehigh’s primary drawman and has put himself in the discussion as best in the country.