Lehigh University
Villanova
Lehigh upended by Villanova, 4-1 on Sunday
9/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
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VILLANOVA, Pa. – Playing in its final tune-up before Patriot League play begins next weekend, Lehigh fell to Villanova 4-1 on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Villanova Stadium. Meredith Sabatini scored a pair of first half goals for the Wildcats, who improved to 9-1 with the win and sent Lehigh to its third straight setback. The Mountain Hawks will enter league play with a 3-6 record.
Sabatini put Villanova in front at the 13:36 mark as she redirected Abby Sordoni’s drive off a penalty corner for her first goal of the season. She added a second goal capitalizing on a rebound in front of the goal cage, just over 31 minutes into the half.
Lehigh scored its lone goal two minutes before halftime, when sophomore Taryn Hartzell netted her first goal of the season off a penalty corner. The Mountain Hawks held their own against the Wildcats in the opening 35 minutes, out-shooting the hosts by a 6-4 margin and holding a 5-2 edge in penalty corners.
With their lead cut to one at the break Wildcats picked things up in the second half, firing 15 shots to just four for the Mountain Hawks. Villanova added two more scores in the second half, with Dana Ramsden converting a penalty stroke and Meg Ryan capping the scoring with a goal in the final minute.
Sophomore Jessica Miller played the first half in goal for Lehigh and made one save. Lilia Stefaniwsky played the second half and turned aside 10 Wildcat shots.
The Mountain Hawks will be back on the turf on Saturday when they travel to Colgate for their 2008 Patriot League opener. Game time is set for 11 a.m. from Hamilton, N.Y.
