Lehigh University
No. 19 American
Lehigh ties American late but falls in double OT
10/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
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American scored the first goal of the game just over four minutes in, with Jesika Pufnock netting her second goal of the season. The Eagles extended their lead as Denise Infante scored two goals within a minute of each other. Then, in the 23rd minute, Infante’s sister Camilla scored an unassisted goal to put the Eagles up 4-0.
The Mountain Hawks responded with just under 10 minutes to play in the half. After Lehigh was awarded a penalty corner, sophomore Kara Zweizig deflected home a drive by junior Christy Smith for her fifth goal of the season. Christy and Kelsey Smith were both credited with assists on the play. American out shot Lehigh 8-3 in the first 35 minutes but the Mountain Hawks held a 3-1 advantage in penalty corners.
Savannah Graybill extended the Eagles’ lead to 5-1 early in the second half, but Lehigh took over from there, scoring four consecutive goals. Smith started the run blasting home a shot off a penalty corner to make it 5-2. In the 58th minute, freshman Kelly Fox brought the Mountain Hawks within two with her third goal of the season. Sophomore Kalynn Davies made it a one goal game with 10 minutes to play, scoring on a feed from Fox.
With the Mountain Hawks pressing for an equalizer, Lehigh was awarded a penalty corner with under 10 seconds to play. As time expired, Smith blasted a shot past Alyssa Poorman for her second goal of the game and seventh of the season. Kelsey Smith and senior Mel Lepko assisted on the play.
Lehigh had several quality chances in overtime. Christy Smith had the best chance, but her attempt at a hat trick game winner banged off the post.
The game then went into a second overtime where Camila Infante scored her second goal of the afternoon in the 92nd minute to give the Eagles the win.
“I’m very proud of the way we played today,” said Lehigh head coach Julie Mazer. “We played hard and had our chances to win. The effort was there.”
American out shot Lehigh 23-17 on the afternoon, but the Mountain Hawks did hold a commanding 14-5 advantage in penalty corners.
Christy Smith finished with two goals and an assist, while senior Kelsey Smith assisted on three of Lehigh’s goals. Senior goalkeeper Stephanie Palmieri made 10 saves, while Alyssa Poorman made eight stops for the Eagles.
The Mountain Hawks will return to action on Wednesday afternoon, when they visit Drexel. Game time is set for 4:00 pm from
