BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After a record tenth consecutive winning season, the Mountain Hawks were picked to finish third in the Patriot League’s preseason poll. Lehigh earned 72 points, including one first place finish, in the poll that was voted on by the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
The 2006 Mountain Hawks will be composed of half rookies and half veterans, including 14 letterwinners. The team finished the 2005 campaign with a 10-4-2 overall record and a 4-3 Patriot League record and competed in its sixth-consecutive Patriot League Tournament. Lehigh was bounced from the Patriot League tournament in the semifinal round by rival Lafayette, the eventual 2006 Patriot League Tournament Champion. The teams played to a scoreless tie before the game came down to penalty kicks, which Lafayette won 4-3.
Lafayette was the top ranked team in this year’s poll taking in 92 points with 11 first place votes. American placed second with 86 points, including four first place votes. Colgate was fourth with 58 points and Navy was fifth with 53. Bucknell (43), Holy Cross (26) and Army (18) round out the poll.
Lehigh opens up the season this Saturday with a home-opener against Fairleigh Dickinson at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
|
Team (# First Place Votes) |
Points |
|
1. Lafayette (11) |
92 |
|
2. American (4) |
86 |
|
3. LEHIGH (1) |
72 |
|
4. Colgate |
58 |
|
5. Navy |
53 |
|
6. Bucknell |
43 |
|
7. Holy Cross |
26 |
|
8. Army |
18 |
