Lehigh University
Colgate
Lehigh rolls past Colgate 4-1 in league opener
10/3/2009 12:15:00 PM | Field Hockey
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh scored a season-high four goals as the Mountain Hawks rolled past Colgate 4-1 in the Patriot League opener for both teams at Ulrich Field. Freshman Kim Eng tallied her eighth goal of the season plus two assists, while senior Morgan Christopher added a goal and an assist for the Mountain Hawks, who picked up their second straight victory and move to 4-5 on the season. Colgate drops to 1-10 overall with the loss.
“I’m very pleased with our performance today,” said Lehigh head coach Julie Mazer. “We came out strong and put 70 minutes of strong hockey together and I’m pleased with the effort all around.”
Colgate benefitted from several early chances including two penalty corners in the opening minutes, but was unable to capitalize. The momentum turned in Lehigh’s favor when the Mountain Hawks were awarded a penalty stroke at the 19:47 mark. Junior Taryn Hartzell stepped forward and converted the stroke for her first goal of the season to put Lehigh up 1-0.
“We gave up a corner in the opening seconds, but after that our defense held strong,” explained Mazer. “We settled in. That penalty stroke was needed to get us going and from there it was a full team effort.”
Eng and Christopher teamed up to extend the Mountain Hawks lead at the 29:30 mark. Eng worked the ball along the end line and found an open Christopher in front of the cage. Christopher beat Raider goalkeeper Sarah Pedersen for her third goal of the season to put Lehigh up by two going into halftime.
Early in the second half Lehigh went in front by three as Eng scored from right in front of the cage on a feed from Christopher.
The Raiders cut the deficit to two goals at the 47:55 mark when Laura Denenga scored on a drive off a short corner on a feed from Mika Ella-Tank, but the Mountain Hawks tacked on and insurance goal with just under 15 minutes remaining when senior Lindsey Smith deflected home Eng’s drive off a corner for her second goal of the season.
For the game, Lehigh held a commanding 23-11 advantage in shots, led by eight from Eng and five from Christopher. Colgate held a 14-11 edge in penalty corners.
Junior Lilia Stefaniwsky made five saves in goal for Lehigh, while Colgate’s Pedersen turned aside ten Mountain Hawk shots.
The Mountain Hawks will return to action Wednesday night when they play host to Villanova. Game time set for 7 p.m. from Ulrich Field and all the action can be seen on Lehighsports.com.
Lehigh - Colgate Post-Game Extra
