Lehigh falls to top seed in league tournament
9/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Washington, DC – Lehigh’s 2003 season concluded Saturday with a 16-3 loss to American in the first round of the Patriot League Tournament. With the loss, the Mountain Hawks end their season with a 10-4 overall record, 3-3 in the Patriot League, while American moves to 10-6 overall, 5-1 in the league. American will face the winner of the Bucknell/Colgate semi-final.
Lehigh trailed 10-2 heading into the locker room, as Sarah Starsoneck netted two goals, one unassisted, and one off the stick of Meredith Carso. Kyle Begina managed nine first half saves, while Lehigh posted only four first half shots.
For American in the first half, three players added three goals each as part of the ten-goal outburst.
The second half went much the same way as the first for Lehigh, as American posted six total goals, including four in the first eight minutes. The Mountain Hawks managed their first second half goal with under two minutes remaining, as Barrie Cominsky slipped a ball past Sara Mackintosh to avoid Lehigh worst offensive output of the season.
Nadia Harmsen ended the game with five goals and three assists, Gina Riitano posted four goals and an assist, while Rebecca Copeland netted four goals. Starting goalkeeper Kathleen Finnegan stopped six shots for the win.
Starsoneck ended the game with two goals, while Cominsky added a score. Kyle Begina saved 12 shots in the loss.
"It was a very good season and Rosie Sherry will be sorely missed," said head coach Judy Baxter. "She was a dominating midfielder, a great motivator, and leader. She was an inspiration to her teammates. What we accomplished this season far outweighs this loss," added Baxter. Even though it would have been nice to advance, we are pleased with what we accomplished."
Lehigh returns all but one player to next season’s team and looks to contend for the 2004 Patriot League Championship.
Scoring
Team | 1 | 2 | Final |
Lehigh | 2 | 1 | 3 |
American | 10 | 6 | 16 |
Shots: Lehigh (16), American (31)
Saves: Lehigh (12), American (8)
Lehigh goals: Sarah Starsoneck (2), Barrie Cominsky (1)
Lehigh assists: Meredith Carso (1)
American goals: Nadia Harmsen (5), Gina Riitano (4), Rebecca Copeland (4), Laura Repoli (1), Moriah Linnell (1), Tara Michael (1)
American assists: Nadia Harmsen (3), Katy Zaweski (2), Gina Riitano (1), Laura Repoli (1)
Ground Balls: Lehigh (31), American (44)
Draw Controls: Lehigh (7), American (14)
For more information, contact Mike Garland, Lehigh Sports Media Relations.
Posted Saturday, April 26 2003
