Lehigh looks to build on recent success
8/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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Following the steady and rapid improvement of the Lehigh soccer program over the last several seasons, the 2005 season was unquestionably the most successful season in the program’s 15-year history. The Mountain Hawks established school records with 14 wins and 13 shutouts, while allowing the fewest goals in all of Division I women’s soccer and capturing a share of their first ever Patriot League regular season championship. Lehigh boasted six All-Patriot League selections and qualified for the league tournament for the second straight year. With virtually everybody back in 2006, expectations are high and with the program getting better every season, the goal is clear: win a Patriot League championship and qualify for the NCAA tournament.
“This is the most experienced team we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Manny Oudin, the three-time reigning Patriot League Coach of the Year, who is entering his fifth season. “This year’s senior class was my first recruiting class. They’ve improved and developed a good understanding of our system, and will lead the team as they look to finish their senior years on a high note.”
One of those seniors expected to lead the way for the Brown and White is midfielder Gina Lewandowski. The Patriot League’s Offensive Player of the Year each of the last two seasons, Lewandowski looks to continue her assault on the Lehigh record books, as she looks to become the school’s all-time leading goal scorer. With 33 career goals, Lewandowski needs just four to tie Dia Johnson Smith ’96 for the school record. Last season, Lewandowski a second-team All-Region selection, took on more of a distributors role, handing out a career-high four assists to go with her six goals.
“Gina has been the mainstay offensively for us and we expect her to have a good senior season, said Oudin. “She is the focal point for most of the teams that play against us, so we try to surround her with players who can make significant contributions.”
When Lehigh needs offense, Lewandowski will team with a deep, talented group of forwards who know how to put the ball in the back of the net. Seniors Daniela Molina and Lauren Calabrese will lead the charge up front for the Mountain Hawks. Molina tallied five goals, including three game-winners on her way to second team All-League honors. Calabrese brings speed on the wings and has six career goals. Freshman Christin Johnson saw increased playing time in the second half of the season and responded with five goals, as she earned first team All-League accolades. In addition, Oudin can call on juniors Melissa Montalvo and Jen Fetsick. Montalvo has eight career tallies in the Brown and White, while Fetsick has been a steady performer, scoring three goals in each of her first two seasons. Senior Lauren Fornuto is also expected to be in the mix up front, while first year players Natalie Hojnacki and Sarah McCall will also compete for playing time.
“Last year Dani (Molina) established herself as our most consistent forward,” explained Oudin. “Christin Johnson was good at the end of the year and we expect Calabrese to play well. With our depth, it ensures that players have to show in training that they can contribute in matches, especially defensively where we depend on our forwards to apply pressure.”
Defense was unquestionably the strong point for the Mountain Hawks in 2005. Lehigh led the nation with a 0.27 goals-against average and the Brown and White yielded just five goals all season – the fewest allowed in all of Division I. A major reason for Lehigh’s stinginess defensively was the play of the backline, led by junior Michaela Pawlewicz, the 2005 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Pawlewicz, a former forward, had her second straight outstanding season as a center-back for the Mountain Hawks. Often marking the opponent’s top player, Pawlewicz played an important role in keeping opponents off the scoreboard. She will be joined in central defense by sophomore Hailey Coonrad, herself a second-team All-League selection a year ago. The two outside spots are slightly more wide open, with the graduation of Megan Carner, and Coonrad’s move inside. Senior Meghan Duesing, a veteran of 38 games will get an opportunity as will senior co-captain Molly Luft and juniors Anndrea Yetter and Courtney Jackson. Freshmen Alex Warren and Meredith Talbot also figure to compete for time as well.
The beneficiary of Lehigh’s outstanding play in 2005 was goalkeeper Julie Kafka, who went 13-2-2 with 0.29 goals-against average and 12 shutouts as a freshman. Kafka led the nation with a .942 save percentage and was named the Co-Rookie and Co-Goalkeeper of the Year in the Patriot League. With a full year of experience behind her, Kafka appears to be the frontrunner for the starting keeper job, but a pair of incoming freshmen, Natalie Krane and Taylor McKean will challenge for the position.
“Julie understands that part of her development as a goalkeeper is based on the competitiveness of the position,” Oudin contends. “It’s important to have depth, and the incoming freshmen both add a different dimension. They are well organized and they are good at collecting crosses and stopping shots.”
The midfield will once again be a strength, with Lewandowski leading the charge. Several forwards, notably Calabrese, Montalvo and Fetsick could see added playing time on the wings. Junior Shannon Lockwood tied for second on the team with three assists last year and after being injured during the spring, will look to regain her form on the outside of the midfield. Oudin was especially impressed with the development of sophomore Amy Mastromonaco, who could see an expanded role. Sophomore Allie Caldwell and incoming freshmen Roxy Jahangeri and Lauren Glazebrook should also figure in the midfield mix.
The 2005 season was one in which Lehigh was ranked regionally for the first time in school history. This year, the Mountain Hawks will face a challenging schedule featuring some of the top teams in the Mid-Atlantic region. Visits to Ivy League power Princeton and
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The Patriot League should once again be one of the most challenging and competitive league’s in the nation. Lehigh shared the regular season title with Colgate last year, but it was fourth seed Bucknell who won the league tournament.
“The league is now such that there is parity across the board,” said Oudin. “Colgate and Navy both have a strong core coming back and made some excellent additions. The teams at the bottom of the league are going to get better and Bucknell is the defending champion.With our experience and our system though, we feel we should right there with all of them.”
The Mountain Hawks open up preseason camp this week, and will kick-off the 2006 season on Friday, August 25 when Marist visits the Ulrich Sports Complex. Game time is set for 7:00 pm.
