Lehigh cracks top five in national poll

9/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football

Bethlehem, PA – For the first time since 1981, Lehigh has cracked the top five an NCAA Division I-AA poll. Coming off a 21-14 win over Bucknell on Saturday, Lehigh has moved up two spots in both the Sports Network poll and the ESPN/USA Today poll. The Mountain Hawks are now ranked fifth and sixth respectively in the national polls. Lehigh has been ranked in the top 10 nationally for 15 straight weeks dating back to October 30, 2000 when it moved from 12^th to 10^th in the polls.
Lehigh has already secured a berth in the NCAA Tournament with its win over Bucknell on Saturday, and has clinched at least a share of its fourth straight Patriot League Championship. A win over Lafayette this Saturday will give Lehigh sole possession of the league crown.
The last time Lehigh ranked in the top five was during the preseason of 1981. The Brown and White were ranked first in the preseason poll but lost their second game of the season to Colgate 27-14.