Bronx, NY - The top seed Lehman College (11-4-1) men's soccer team will host fifth seed the College of Staten Island (10-6-2:4-3-1) on Saturday at noon in the CUNYAC semi-finals. 

In the 2016 CUNYAC semi-finals the Lightning defeated CSI 1-0 on an Essosa Aluyi strike in the 27^th minute. 

In their last three meetings Lehman has defeated CSI by the identical score of 1-0.  Earlier this season, Lehman traveled to CSI and came away with a 1-0 victory.  Salh Alzubidi scored the game's lone goal midway through the second half.  The teams battled twice during the 2016 campaign.  During the regular season, Aluyi's goal in the 62^nd minute was the difference maker as well as the aforementioned semifinal last season. 

For the second time in as many seasons, the Lightning enter post-season play as the team to beat.  Lehman was a perfect 8-0 in conference play and did not surrender a goal during a CUNYAC contest.   You have to go back two years to the 2015 campaign to find a loss in a conference contest. 
 
Newcomer Chris Mulholland has been in goal for most of the season.  The sophomore transfer from Oneonta has started all 16 games and has only surrendered 11 goals while posting eight shutouts.  Offensively the Lightning have looked to transfer Alzubidi, a graduate of Westchester CC, for scoring.  The junior has netted 15 goals to lead the conference in scoring.  Another newcomer that has proven himself is Eduardo Victorio.  The freshman from Yonkers has netted three goals this season, none more important than the game winner against John Jay.  The Roosevelt High School graduate has started 10 games this season at his overlapping midfield position.  Junior Omar Moro has netted registered four goals and four assists this season. 
 
Defensively the Lightning are also strong with Mulholland in goal and four quality backs. Nabi Ben Bangoura, Rafeal Emiliano, Adewale Adewusi and Abdoulaye Bassirou have made the Lightning defense hard to penetrate.  Lehman has only surrendered 11 goals this season.  The next stingiest defense in the conference has let up 20.   
 
CSI earned their place in the semifinals with a 1-0 victory over #4 Baruch.   A goal by freshman Joey Bolella in the 78^th minute proved to be the difference. 
 
The winner of Saturday's contest moves on to play the winner of the John Jay/Brooklyn game next Saturday, November 4 for the right to represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament.  The championship game on November fourth will take place at the College of Staten Island.  Kick-off is slated for 2:00 PM.
 
Fans unable to make the trip to Lehman for Saturday's game can follow all of the action on line via live stats and live stream
 
 
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