Lehigh At Monmouth Game Narratives: Cleaning Things Up For Business Trip To West Long Branch

It was days later, and head coach Andy Coen was still frustrated with last week's loss.

That was the takeaway from the two pieces that came out in the local media this week, one from Lehigh Sports Central, and the other from Keith Groller of The Morning Call.

"Still a lot of frustration there," he told Steve Degler. "You know there are going to be some mistakes in that first game, but veteran guys, new guys, we made too many mistakes, and gave Villanova too many opportunities. It was very tough to take."

In last week's post game press conference, and this week's media meeting, the theme was "cleaning up the mistakes".

“We’re really excited and want to put that first ‘W’ in the win column,” junior LB Matt Butler said. “We left a few plays on the field against Villanova; plays we’d like to have back. We had a few mental errors that cost us. We need to clean that up this week.”

Below is head coach Andy Coen's appearance on Lehigh Sports Central.

Of note in the preview above is coach Coen's note about how last week's loss will affect the game this weekend at Monmouth.

"I think that's really going to help our players understand," he said. "I think last year when we came into our game against Monmouth, they really didn't give Monmouth the respect that they deserved. They'll have it now. I think our guys are very, very focused to get that first win. It was not a good feeling last year being 0-2, it really puts your team in a tough spot. The kids understand the level we need to practice at."

The Morning Call's Keith Groller also said that this weekend's game against Monmouth will be no day at the beach:

“They’re strong on both lines,” Lehigh coach Andy Coen said. “Their running back [freshman Pete Guerriero] is a pretty dynamic tailback, powerful. He redshirted last year and didn’t play against us.”

Last week, Monmouth rechristened Kessler Field to Kessler Stadium, in front of a sellout crowd where the home fans saw Monmouth defeat Lafayette 31-12, holding the Leopards to -1 yards rushing.

Coach Kevin Callahan: "I was very happy and very proud. I think it started (Friday night) when probably more than 100 former players and their families were back here to take part in the opening of the stadium and also to celebrate the 25 years of Monmouth football.

"I think, to a guy, when they (the former players) saw the new stadium, they were a little bit envious.that they didn't have the opportunity to play in it, but they were also very proud because they knew their investment of effort and their investment of time was what made this day possible.

"You really saw the linking of the alumni group with some of our current players that were there (Friday night). You really saw they come together as one big family. I was very happy to see that.''

Finally there was aspotlight feature on junior WR Luke Cristiano on his story, and his excellent impression of Tony Soprano.

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