Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh opens long home stand against Cornell
9/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh looks to even its season record Sunday afternoon as the Mountain Hawks open a seven-game home stand against the Cornell Big Red. The Mountain Hawks have rebounded from an 0-3 start with wins in their last two outings, a 3-2 win over Georgetown last Saturday in the inaugural game on the new Ronald J. Ulrich Field and a 3-1 road triumph at Saint Francis on Wednesday. Lehigh will have plenty of time to get acquainted with its new facility as Sunday’s game marks the first of seven straight on the Ulrich turf.
Freshman Kim Eng continues to pace the Lehigh attack. The reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Week has totaled nine points in her last two games and currently leads the league in both goals (five) and points (13). Eng has netted the game-winning goal in both of Lehigh’s wins, while seniors Lindsey Smith and Morgan Christopher and sophomore Caitlin Donnelly have also found the back of the cage over the last two games.
Defensively, junior Lilia Stefaniwsky stepped in for injured classmate Jess Miller and made seven saves to earn the win in goal versus Saint Francis, while junior Lauren Cawley assisted in the defensive effort with two key defensive saves for the Mountain Hawks.
Sunday’s opponent, Cornell, enters the weekend undefeated at 4-0 so far this season. The Big Red picked up a 2-1 overtime win against Lock Haven last Saturday and will open up their Ivy League slate on Friday against Penn before making the trip to Bethlehem. Kelley Kantarian has been Cornell’s top scorer with four goals and nine points, while Melanie Jue and Alex Botte have both seen extensive time in the goal cage.
The all-time series between the two teams heavily favors the Big Red, who have won 16 of 18 meetings, including a 2-0 triumph last year in Ithaca, N.Y. Lehigh will be looking for its first win over Cornell since a 2-1 triumph in 1993.
Sunday’s game gets underway at 1 p.m. from Ulrich Field. Live video of the contest will be available on Lehighsports.com.
