Sibling rivalry in soccer showdown against Lafayette

If the crowd thinks they’re seeing double at Lehigh’s upcoming men’s soccer match against Lafayette, they won’t be wrong.

Not only will senior captain Danny Gonzalez be playing, but he will be playing against his twin brother, Lafayette midfielder Andrew Gonzalez.

“Seeing Andrew in a different jersey is definitely a bit weird,” senior Danny Gonzalez said.

Some of Danny Gonzalez’s best memories have been playing against his twin in the rivalry game, but this time a playoff spot is also on the line.

“It’s pretty funny actually because they both have similar movements and playing styles,” senior co-captain Justin Worley said. “When you’re on the field you’ll look up at Andrew (Gonzalez) and have to register in your head that it’s not Danny (Gonzalez).”

Their style of play and similar looks aren’t the only things the brothers have in common, though. Gonzalez said neither of them like to lose either, whether it is in school, video games and especially soccer.

But Worley doesn’t think the rivalry has ever caused issues between the Gonzalez twins. He said at the end of the day, they’re just brothers on different teams.

For assistant coach Ryan Hess, watching any of the Gonzalez brothers play is nothing new.

“I don’t know if (people) know this, but Danny’s older brother Michael (Gonzalez) played here for a year too,” Hess said. “So we have a good and long relationship with the family.”

The coaches aren’t changing their approach to this game just because Gonzalez has family bragging rights on the line, though. Hess said while the rivalry is an important element, a win would result in three points for the team just like any other win.

With its current standings and ranking in the league, the Hawks (6-8-1, 2-4 Patriot) need to get as many wins as possible to keep them in the running for a chance to play in the Patriot League Tournament. Hess said if the team wins the rest of its games, it should qualify for the tournament.

When it comes to playing Lafayette (6-7-2, 2-3-1 Patriot), the annual men’s soccer rivalry game has always been tight. Last year, Lehigh beat Lafayette 2-0 with a pair of goals from forward Mark Forrest, who was a freshman at the time. But this year, both teams are different.

“We know that Lafayette is a young group this year,” Hess said. “Traditionally they are bigger than us, so we are just trying to focus on playing to our strengths and keeping the ball on the ground.”

The team generally builds its confidence in its strengths and style from the practices leading up to games. Danny Gonzalez said on-field play is often a result of being extra focused during the days prior.

The team’s two wins against Fordham University and Boston University are also adding to its momentum going into its game against Lafayette.

The need for league points is the main motivation for the players going into the Lafayette game, but even Worley acknowledged that playing against Lafayette always has a different meaning than playing other teams in the conference.

“Lafayette is definitely one of the most exciting games we play all year because of the history and tradition around the rivalry,” Worley said. “Leading up to the game guys will play with a little more tenacity and bite because the Lafayette game is always a physical battle.”

The tendency for the game to get physical and intense causes different players on the team to take on different roles.

“There are a few guys on our team who are our hype guys,” Worley said. “So they’re the ones during practice, in the locker room, and in the huddles before games who get us fired up and ready to play.”

Hess said the team also leans heavily on the experience and leadership of the four seniors when it comes to pressure situations like playing Lafayette or making a run for the tournament.

“All of them are big contributors,” Hess said. “We know that what they have shown over their careers, that they know how to be successful. Even when we haven’t had the results that we wanted, we have our trust in them and what they are going to bring to us in these next four final games.”

But even the best of leaders need to lean on someone in the heat of an intense game. Worley said he also relies on his family, who goes to almost all of his games, for a calming presence.

The game will be played Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in Easton.