BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After scoring the only goal in Lehigh’s 1-0 win over Mount St. Mary’s on Friday, freshman midfielder Stephanie DeLuca was named the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Week, it was announced on Monday. DeLuca became the second Mountain Hawk freshman in as many weeks to have her first career goal be a game winner.
The Washington, N.J. native provided the only goal of the game in the 32nd minute, as she dribbled down the right side of the field and fired a shot to the far post, which beat Mountaineers goalkeeper Anna Lebo. DeLuca was credited with two shots on goal against Mount St. Mary’s, and earned her third career start in the Mountain Hawks’ 2-0 loss at Maryland on Sunday.
On the season, DeLuca has played in all ten games for Lehigh (5-3-2). Along with her goal on Friday, DeLuca assisted on Melissa Montalvo’s overtime game winning goal in the Mountain Hawks’ 2-1 win over Michigan State on September 9. DeLuca is the third Lehigh player to earn a weekly award in 2007. Montalvo and senior Michaela Pawlewicz were honored with Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards respectively, on September 10.
DeLuca and the Mountain Hawks will return to the pitch on Sunday when the open up Patriot League play against Holy Cross. Game time is set for noon from Worcester, Mass.
