Lehigh University
Lafayette
Lehigh falls to archrival Lafayette 8-6
3/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Bethlehem, PA – Lehigh fell to its archrival Lafayette by a score of 8-6 on Thursday evening at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Lehigh had the lead in the second half, but just could not seem to put the Leopards away. The Mountain Hawks were led on offense by Amy Chamberlain and her two goals and one assist, while Samantha Ziegler netted a hat trick for Lafayette. With the loss, Lehigh falls to 2-4 on the season, 0-2 in Patriot League action, while Lafayette improves to 2-5 on the year and 1-1 in league action.
Lehigh got on the board first when senior Meredith Carso found the back of the net at the 26:07 mark of the first half for her ninth goal of the season and Lehigh was in front 1-0. Lafayette came right back however, as Ziegler netted her first goal of the night just 20 seconds later. Emily Studdiford answered back for the Mountain Hawks as Chamberlain found her at the 21:15 mark of the opening period, and on the strength of Studdiford’s eighth goal of the season, Lehigh was in front 2-1. Chamberlain then found the back of the net at the 11:09 mark to put Lehigh up two, at 3-1, and the Mountain Hawks were in control.
Lafayette then struck back with two goals of its own to pull even at three, but Lehigh would answer back as Chamberlain netted her second goal of the evening at the 7:02 mark and the Mountain Hawks were back on top 4-3, which is where the score would be at halftime.
Senior Sarah Starsoneck connected for a goal at the 22:28 mark of the second half to equal Lehigh’s biggest lead of the night at 5-3. The Leopards then struck for two consecutive goals to pull the game back into a tie at five with 20:21 remaining. Ella Studdiford then scored at the 14:09 mark to put Lehigh back in front at 6-5, but that was the last offense that Lehigh would receive. Ziegler scored twice and Lauren Ricca netted a goal of her own to put the Leopards on top 8-6 with just 4:09 to go. But Lehigh did not go away quietly, as the Mountain Hawks had several chances to score, but just could not seem to put the ball in the net.
Head Coach Jim Shreve was upset following the game, but liked the effort and attitude of his team. “The shots just did not fall for us tonight. It was a good, hard fought game, but in the end, Lafayette’s time of possession was just too much to overcome.” Shreve adds, “We talked about possession at halftime and they (Lafayette) controlled it in the second half. Give their goalie credit; she did a great job tonight. It’s disappointing to lose, but our girls have a great attitude and will continue to work hard.”
Lafayette outshot Lehigh 23-21 on the evening and won seven of ten face offs. Each team scooped up six groundballs, led by Rebecca Morley and Kristen Sherry’s two apiece for Lehigh. Kyle Begina was in net for the Mountain Hawks and had a very busy evening, seeing 23 shots on the night, turning back nine of them. Lafayette’s goalie Jaclyn Kushner saw 21 shots for the game and registered 11 saves.
Lehigh returns to action on Sunday when the Mountain Hawks play host to Sacred Heart from the Ulrich Sports Complex. That game is scheduled to begin at 1:00.
