Lehigh University Athletics
From Head Coach Manny Oudin
12/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Happy Holidays from the Lehigh University Women's Soccer program! I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on one of the most successful seasons in the program's history. It was a year filled with hard work, determination, and excitement. Here are few of the highlights:
- The team qualified for the Patriot League Tournament for the first time since 1994, finishing second with a 5-2 record in the league. The team defeated American 3-1 in the semi-final match, but fell to Colgate 2-0 in the championship. Lehigh does hold the distinction of being the only team to have beaten Colgate in league play this year; a 1-0 victory at the Ulrich Sports Complex in Bethlehem. Colgate went on to beat 13th ranked Arizona in the first round of the NCAA tournament before losing to Connecticut in the second round.
- Our overall 12-8 record again surpassed the old record for the most wins in the program's history. The team boasted an 8-1 record at home, with our only loss coming to Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State University.
- The team also continued its dominance over our rival Lafayette College with a convincing 3-0 victory in Easton.
- Excellence in the classroom was rewarded for the third consecutive year as we earned the Collegiate Academic Award from the National Soccer Coaches Athletic Association. The award is given to programs that have an overall team average of 3.2 or higher.
- From an individual standpoint, a number of players were also recognized by the Patriot League coaches this fall. Senior Goalkeeper Erin Iwaskiewicz was the recipient of the first Goalkeeper of the Year Award. Sophomore sensation Gina Lewandowski was recognized as the Offensive Player of the Year after scoring 15 goals (8 goals in League play) from the midfield position. Senior forwards Jocelyn Helwig, Erin Iwaskiewicz, and Gina Lewandowski were also honored after having been selected to the Patriot League first team. Freshman back Michaela Pawlewicz was a second team Patriot League selection.
- Senior Co-Captains Erin Iwaskiewicz and Shannon Trexler were also selected to the District II All District Academic Team sponsored by the Sports Information Directors for their outstanding performance in the classroom over the last four years.
- I was also fortunate to have been voted Coach of the Year in the Patriot League by the coaches for the second consecutive year. This award is just a reflection of the progress the team has made over the last few seasons. This also shows the level of commitment the players have adopted and their drive to succeed.
We will certainly miss the leadership the senior class has provided both on and off the field. Our returning letterwinners will be training hard in the off- season and continue to look to the future. Fall will bring eight new players who will also enhance the collection of talented athletes to the program. I hope that we continue to improve and return to the Patriot League Tournament -- and this time, finish on top!
As we prepare for the future, I would like to extend an invitation to all alumnae to join us for a fall reunion. On Saturday, October 1, the varsity will play host to Lafayette. I would like to start the day off with an alumnae game that morning, giving all of you a chance to see your former teammates and meet the current team members. A reception will be held after the game to allow everyone to meet and get acquainted.
As you read through this email, I was able to share some very positive program results. All of this was achieved by the hard work and passion our current team has for Lehigh and the women's soccer program. I know that this passion is one asset that has been passed on by past team members. I appeal to you today to carry on that tradition of passion in another way, as the Athletic Department continues to rely on the generosity of our alumnae to provide for the future. One statistic I would like to see improve is the percentage of the women's soccer alumnae who have contributed to the Athletic Partnership and/or Women's Soccer Program. Presently only 4% (5 out of 130) of the women's soccer alums have made a contribution since they have graduated. I realize all of you are competitors and would not like the fact that we rank second to last versus all of the other women's sports at Lehigh. The current team members and I will do our best to make you proud of the program. Please make an extra effort to make a contribution to support the Athletics Partnership or the women's soccer program. I promise you won't be disappointed with your investment.
I look forward to getting the opportunity to meet all of you in the near future. I can assure you that the players are getting ready for a rigorous off season program that will begin the first week of the spring semester. Once again I wish all of you Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Manny Oudin, Head Coach
Lehigh University Women's Soccer
