Lehigh travels to rival Lafayette on Saturday night
10/17/2008 10:30:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The final stop on Lehigh’s current four-game road trip sends the Mountain Hawks 15 miles down the road to Easton, for the latest chapter in the Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry on the pitch on Saturday night. Both teams have started Patriot League play 0-3, making Saturday night’s game important as both teams look to keep their Patriot League tournament aspirations alive.
The Mountain Hawks, at 4-8-1 overall, will be looking to stop a four-match slide in which they have failed to score a goal. This current road trip began with league losses at American and Navy last weekend and also included a 1-0 loss at Princeton on Wednesday. Despite the team’s recent struggles, the players believe that their season goals are still attainable and that a win over Lafayette good provide the boost necessary to put the Lehigh back on the right track.
“Although we have had some tough breaks in the past few weeks, our goal is still to succeed in the league,” said senior midfielder Allie Caldwell. “At this point, we go into every game knowing that we must win in order to have a chance at the Patriot League tournament.”
The team is trying to take things one game at a time, but with the arch rival Leopards next on the schedule, there is an added level of excitement among the Mountain Hawks.
“Saturday’s game will be a great test for us, because not only is it a league game, but its Lafayette,” explained Caldwell. “The rivalry makes everyone extra excited to play, and if we can come out with intensity and put some things together on the field, we feel as a team we can be successful.”
“We have continued to improve our play for a full 90 minutes, despite the outcome of our last few games,” added senior defender Emily Means. “Saturday night will be our next opportunity to build on that. At this point in league play we need a win, and with the opportunity to play our oldest rival on their home field, a win would give us the momentum we need going forward.”
One of the biggest challenges facing the Mountain Hawks will be scoring goals, something Lehigh has done just seven times this season. Head coach Manny Oudin has used the last several games to tinker with different personnel combinations in hope of jump-starting the attack, while at the same time taking some of the pressure off the defense, featuring Means and seniors Hailey Coonrad and Amy Mastromonaco among others, which has held its own for the most part during this streak.
Lafayette also carries a four-match losing streak into Saturday night’s contest. The Leopards are 2-10-2 overall this season and have been outscored by a combined 9-0 margin in Patriot League losses to Army, Navy and American. Like Lehigh, the Leopards have struggled to produce goals, with just seven in 14 games. Mackenzie Moore and Janelle Pierson have two each to lead Lafayette. Brittany Futterknecht has seen the majority of playing time in goal.
Aside from American and Navy, Lehigh and Lafayette have faced three common opponents: Monmouth, Marist and Fairleigh Dickinson. The Leopards are 0-3 against that trio of teams, while the Mountain Hawks are 2-1, with the loss coming in overtime to Monmouth. Still, players know that both sides will come out with plenty of energy and intensity on Saturday night.
“The intensity and energy that are brought each year to this rivalry game are unparalleled,” said Coonrad. “The game is always a battle where both teams are determined to put up a fight because there is always something valuable on the line, and that is pride. We all realize the importance of this game for our league standings, but there is something deeper for each and every one of us.”
Game time is set for 7 p.m. from Lafayette’s Mike Bourger Field at Oaks Stadium.
