For the first time in the history of the Lehman College athletics the men's and women's soccer teams will be playing in the finals the same year. The women will battle CSI at 11:30 AM on Saturday while the men will take on John Jay at 2:00 PM.  Both games will be contested at the College of Staten Island Soccer Complex. 
 
The women's team and Coach Casey Melilli were seeded third this season but upended second seed John Jay 2-0 this past Wednesday afternoon to make their second final in three years.  In 2015, the Lightning lost in the Championship game to the College of Staten Island 2-1 in OT.  This marks Lehman's second trip to finals for a program that has only been around since 2012.  The Lightning will battle top seed Staten Island who defeated CCNY in the other semi-final match 2-1. 
 
The Lightning are led by a core group of seniors.  Daisy Gomez the CUNYAC Player of the Year leads Lehman with 11 goals and two assists.  She also has three game winning strikes to her credit.  Overlapping midfielder Lillian Barreto recorded a goal and an assist in the semifinal victory.  She ranks third on the squad in scoring with seven goals and five assists.  The Sanchez sisters have also played key roles for the Lightning this season.  Gredia has been a steadying force as a central defender.  The Lightning have posted nine shutouts this year.  The offense runs through Pamela Sanchez who has led the team in assists. 
 
First year players Melanie Siranaula and Daniela Castro have had an immediate impact on the squad as has goalkeeper Rebecca Gritz. 
 
Lehman and CSI met during the regular season with the Dolphins coming away with a 2-0 victory.   
 
The men's team has reached the final for the second year in a row and once again hold the top seed.  This marks fourth time in the history of the program that the Lightning will look to be crowned champions.  Last season, Lehman defeated Hunter to wear the crown they also were crowned champion in 2011. 
 
Lehman (12-4-1) earned their way into the final by defeating the College of Staten Island 3-2 last weekend.  They will face second seed John Jay at 2:00 PM on Staten Island.  The Bloodhounds moved into the finals with a 2-1 victory over Brooklyn.  John Jay is looking for their first ever men's soccer championship.  The last time they played in the championship was in 2006. 
 
The two teams met back on October 7^th in the Bronx with Lehman coming away with a 1-0 victory.  It was freshman Eduardo Victorio's strike just two minutes into the game that provided the margin of victory. 
 
The Lightning have had a season for the ages as they were a perfect 8-0 in conference play.  Even more amazing was the fact that Lehman did not surrender a goal during a CUNYAC contest.  Transfer goalkeeper Chris Mulholland has been Coach Gojcevic's choice of net minder this season.  "Goalkeeper was a big concern coming into the season," commented Gojcevic. "Knowing that we had to replace Irvin Barreto, the CUNYAC Championship MVP, weighed heavy on me and the staff." Mulholland delivered as he was credited with eight shutouts, not giving up a goal in a conference game and only surrendering 12 goals in 17 games. 

Anchoring the defense with Mulholland are veteran seniors Nabi Ben Bangoura, Abdoulaye Bassiro and Rafael Emiliano.  Adewale Adewusi rounds out the defense.  The freshman is not afraid to get involved in the offense as he has recorded six assists in his rookie campaign.  Offensively the Lightning have been relying on Westchester CC transfer Salh Alzubidi.  The junior leads the Lightning and CUNYAC in scoring with 17 goals.  Joining Alzubidi up front are Omar Moro and Essosa Aluyi.  Moro ranks second on the squad in scoring with four goals and four assists.  Aluyi, the 2014 CUNYAC Player of the Year has only scored twice this year but none more important than the one he netted in the semifinal victory over CSI. 
 
In the midfielder the Lightning have relied on captain Michel Generoso and the aforementioned Victorio.  Generoso a senior has been playing the defensive midfielder role breaking up opponent's attacks through the middle of the field.  Victorio, a freshman is an attacking midfielder.  Shevante Scott and Sikou Souimare have also been regulars in the Lightning starting 11. 
 
Fans unable to make the trip to Staten Island can follow all of the action on line via live stats and live stream. 
 
Live Stats (women)
 
 
Live Stats (men)
 

Live stream