Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks making progress towards opener
8/26/2009 3:30:00 PM | Field Hockey
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh field hockey team officially begins its season on Saturday, and the Mountain Hawks have been hard at work preparing to open the new season. Last weekend, the Brown and White played in their lone scrimmage of the preseason, taking on Temple on the campus of Drexel University. Classes began on Monday, so the two-a-days of preseason camp have given way to single afternoon practices as the Mountain Hawks grow increasingly closer to the regular season as they try to improve on last season’s results.
“We went out and improved on a lot of the things we worked on during the first week of camp,” said senior forward Morgan Christopher about last Saturday’s scrimmage. “We made some improvements. Just being around this group there’s a lot of evidence that this year will be better than years past.”
One of the most encouraging things to emerge from the scrimmage with Temple was the team’s performance at the start of the contest. Last year the Mountain Hawks had the unfortunate knack for surrendering early goals, but on Saturday, Lehigh came out composed and was able to produce several scoring opportunities as well as some penalty corners.
“It was exciting to get off to a strong start because a lot of times last year we struggled coming out,” explained goalkeeper Jess Miller. “It’s one of those things we’ve been focusing on. Going hard from the first whistle and keeping that intensity throughout.”
Head coach Julie Mazer added her thoughts on Lehigh’s lone preseason scrimmage, “I thought we got off to a strong start. We adjusted to the Astroturf pretty well after being on field turf for most of camp. We won some early corners but could not finish, so our timing was off in that aspect.
“Both of our goalkeepers played well after adjusting to the timing and ball speed coming off the Astroturf,” Mazer continued. “We tried a lot of different combinations and everybody got playing time. I’m pleased with where we’re at right now, but we still have work to do.”
The Mountain Hawks remain a work-in-progress as they look to bounce back from last year’s 3-14 campaign. Aside from the four seniors, the majority of this Lehigh team is composed of juniors and sophomores who gained invaluable experience last season, and will be joined by a large, talented freshman class.
Christopher, who is finally healthy after missing all of last season, will be looked towards to provide offense and leadership, as she joins Amy Isabelle, Julie Kuhns and Lindsey Smith to comprise the senior class.
Miller, now a junior, teams with classmate Lilia Stefaniwsky to create a formidable 1-2 goalkeeping tandem, who will be looked upon to communicate well and help lead Lehigh from the back. All-League performer Taryn Hartzell along with Katey Fardelmann, Claire Horn, and Cassie Willard comprise part of the junior class that will be counted upon to emerge as leaders and key components to Lehigh’s success.
Wednesday, the Patriot League announced its preseason poll, with the Mountain Hawks finishing sixth with 12 points. The poll is voted upon by the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
Six-time defending league champions American top the poll with 49 points and nine first place votes. Lafayette received the other three first place votes and garnered 42 points. Colgate finished third, followed by Bucknell and then Holy Cross, which finished four points clear of the Mountain Hawks.
Lehigh begins the regular season on Saturday when they travel to Princeton, N.J. to face Rider in a game that will be played at the Princeton Day School. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
2009 Patriot League Field Hockey Preseason Poll
|
Team (# First Place Votes) |
Points |
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1. American (9) |
49 |
|
2. Lafayette (3) |
42 |
|
3. Colgate |
34 |
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4. Bucknell |
27 |
|
5. Holy Cross |
16 |
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6. LEHIGH |
12 |
Watch Lehigh Field Hockey 2009 Season Preview!
