Bulldogs rout Lehigh, 3-0, in season opener

NORAT, KNAUB LEAD MEN'S SOCCER TO 3-0 WIN AT LEHIGH IN SEASON OPENER FRIDAY NIGHT

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – On the back of two first-half goals, the Bryant University men's soccer team earned a huge 3-0 win at Lehigh Friday night in both squads season opener.

Led by a three-point day from junior Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.), the Bulldogs outshot the Mountain Hawks, 14-12, en route to their first 1-0 start since joining the Division I ranks in 2008, while the Mountain Hawks open their 2013 campaign 0-1.

Bryant wasted little time getting on the board notching a goal in the sixth minute as sophomore Jake Lamar (New Haven, Conn.) put home his first-career goal off a helper from Norat.

Just over 20 minutes later, the relentless Bulldog attack led by sophomore Marco Addonizio (Lynnfield, Mass.) resulted in an own-goal for Bryant off a Lucas Guerriero (Pickering, Ont.) corner attempt in the 28th minute.

The Black and Gold added one more for good measure in the 60th minute off a Shane Murphy (Kennett Square, Pa.) indirect free kick resulting in a Norat header, pushing the Bulldog lead to three scores.

Sophomore keeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) picked up right where he left off in 2012, stopping all three Lehigh shots-on-goal to earn his first shutout of the season.

The Bulldogs will look to make it two in-a-row when they visit Lafayette on Sunday in Easton, Pa.

For links to live stats and streaming video of Sunday's action and all the latest on the Bryant University men's soccer team, visit BryantBulldogs.com