Playoff berths at stake as Lehigh hosts Colgate

10/26/2007 11:15:00 AM | Field Hockey

BETHLEHEM, Pa. –Two teams looking to secure a spot in next weekend’s Patriot League tournament will meet Saturday afternoon as Lehigh plays host to Colgate in the final game of the regular season for both teams. The Mountain Hawks and Raiders are two of four teams tied at 2-2 in the league standings, fighting for three available spots in the postseason. The winner of Saturday’s game clinches a tournament berth, while the losing team will need some help to clinch a spot in the tournament.

 

In addition to trying to return to the Patriot League tournament for the third time in four years, Lehigh will be looking to snap a three game losing streak on Saturday. The Mountain Hawks fell 4-1 at home to Drexel on Wednesday, but won their only Patriot League home game 3-2 in overtime over Bucknell on September 29. Junior Kalynn Davies continues to lead the league with 12 goals, while junior Kara Zweizig, sophomore Kelly Fox and senior Christy Smith join Davies as Lehigh players who have more than 15 points this season. Lehigh’s backline of seniors Terry Mongan, Lauren Volpe and Stacy Sommerfield will be tested, as Lehigh has allowed a total of 14 goals in its last three games.

 

The Mountain Hawks will clinch a tournament berth with a win and will be seeded either second or third. Lehigh can still get in with a loss if American wins at Holy Cross. Lafayette visits Bucknell in the third league game on Saturday’s schedule.  

 

Colgate enters today’s game at 8-7 overall. The Raiders own league wins over Bucknell and Holy Cross, and all four of their league games have been decided by one goal. Junior Lauren Carey leads Colgate with nine goals and 20 points, while sophomore Sarah Pedersen has seen the majority of action in the goal cage.

 

The Raiders lead the all-time series 14-10-1, including a 3-1 win last season that knocked the Mountain Hawks out of postseason contention. Lehigh’s last win came in 2005; a 3-2 triumph in overtime, which at the time snapped a nine game losing streak against Colgate.

 

Saturday’s game gets underway at 11:30 a.m. from the Ulrich Sports Complex.

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