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NCAA D1 Game of the Week
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Game of the Week: Colgate Vs. Lehigh

This week’s Game of the Week doesn’t even feature a Top 5 team, but it’s still going to one amazing game.  We’ve got a top notch Patriot League game that could do a lot to decide how the regular season will shake out.  Plus you get to see one of the best players in the game! This week’s Game of the Week is:

Lehigh vs. Colgate

NCAA D1 Game of the Week

Lehigh Win Streak:

Lehigh is on a TEAR – after losing to Villanova, Lehigh has won ten straight games.  This win streak includes wins over ranked opponents such as Penn, UNC, Yale, Penn State and Navy.  This means that Lehigh is legit.  In all of those games, Lehigh has held their opponents to under 10 goals.  This is some pretty serious stuff if you ask me.  Not only does Lehigh look strong to capture the Patriot league title, but they look to be a serious contender in the play offs.  They could be looking at high seed if they keep this streak up, but the Coglate Raiders stand in their way.

Colgate Army lacrosse
Can Colgate's offense generate quality shots against Lehigh?

Photo credit: Tommy Gilligan Photography.  Check ’em out of Facebook!

Peter Baum:

The player leading the charge for the Raiders is Peter Baum.  Baum leads the nation in goals and points per game, and has a accumulated 55 points so far this season.  He is definitely having an All-American season, and he needs to keep it up at this pace if he wants to take down the Mountain Hawks.  Baum is converting on nearly 42% of his shots, and he is going to be tough to stop.  He is one of the major frontrunners or the Tewaaraton trophy this year, and as we all know the person who takes home that honor usually is the one who leads his team deep into the playoffs. If Baum wants that honor, he has to carry his team to Final Four Weekend.

Lehigh GAA:

The main competition for Baum isLehigh’s GAA, which sits at a staggeringly low 5.45.  That is a pretty daunting number if you are the Colgate Raiders.  Colgate has a very high powered offense that puts up a lot of goals.  Lehigh is holding opponents to a measly 25 shots per game.  It is extremely difficult to wins games when you can only get 25 shots off per game.  Colgate’s high power offense will clash with Lehigh’s suffocating defense – and one team will suffer in this clash. Without a doubt, Colgate will get off more than 25 shots, but can they get off high quality shots?

Remember, when it comes to shots, it’s not always quantity that counts but rather quality. Colgate needs to shoots smart in order to get Lehigh on their heels and try to steal a win.

Matthew Poillon:

The main reason why Colgate needs to shoot smart is the man standing between the pipes for Lehigh. Matt Poillon – the goalie for Lehigh – has compiled close to 100 saves this season and is turning away 62% of the shots he has faced.  Put that stat next to 25 shots a game, and that does leave much breathing room for Colgate to score. A 62% save percentage is a great number regardless, but to get that number from a freshman goaltender is really something special.

Lehigh have a lot to look forward too in the next upcoming years with Poillon is net.  This goes back to me saying a key for Colgate is to shoot smart, everyone knows that it is tough to bring down a hot goalie.

Ryan Walsh:

Colgate has a rookie stud of their own – Ryan Walsh, the freight train from Wantagh, New York.  He stands 6’4 and brings over 215 pounds of fury, and uses his physical game to dominate his defenders.  He is the leading freshman goal scorer in the country.  Walsh has 37 points so far this season with 24 goals and 13 assists.  He is only 5 goals away from the freshman goal scoring record of 29 goals set by none other than… Peter Baum.  Walsh and Baum create a deadly combo on the field.  It will be these two players that will cause nightmares for Lehigh’s defense.  This creates a great match up that everyone should want to watch.

Alright folks, five good reason to watch this match up.  A bunch of other great games are going on, but I think this one is the best.  I think Lehigh stays hot and gets the Win here, but Baum and Walsh are two forces that aren’t to be taken too lightly.  It should make for some great lacrosse.

You can get at me on twitter @connors36!  Enjoy the game… and leave a comment below to let me know who you think will take home the win!