Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks seek return to league tournament
8/25/2008 1:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
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In six years under head coach Manny Oudin, the Lehigh women’s soccer program has experienced previously unmatched success and vaulted itself into the upper echelon of the Patriot League. Last season the Mountain Hawks posted a 7-7-4 record, including impressive results against several tough national and regional opponents, but for the first time in four years Lehigh found itself out of the Patriot League tournament. A large successful senior class was lost to graduation, but an abundance of young talent returns, which makes Lehigh optimistic as the Mountain Hawks seek their fourth tournament berth in five years, and aspire to capture their first Patriot League title.
“Ultimately the focus for our program is to reach the postseason,” says Oudin, who enters his seventh season. “Every year we aspire to be in a position where we can compete for a league championship.
Oudin continues, “Depth will be an important part of this year’s team. We have a solid core of returning players, but we’re going to need the returning players and the younger players to step forward and if they can we will have a very talented group.”
Much of Lehigh’s returning experience is in the back, led by three strong goalkeepers who will battle for playing time.
Senior Julie Kafka has been the starter in goal in each of her first three seasons. Kafka boasts the lowest career goals-against average in school history, at 1.04. Last season, Oudin platooned his goalkeepers, with Kafka starting every game and Lauren Mains coming in at halftime. Together Kafka and Mains combined to post a goals-against average under one. Now a sophomore, Mains will continue to press for playing time, as will junior Natalie Krane, who has seen limited action in her first two years, but is coming off a strong off-season.
“Goalkeeping should be one of our strengths,” explains Oudin, a three-time Patriot League Coach of the Year. “We have three very good keepers. Julie (Kafka) and Lauren Mains shared time last year, but Natalie Krane had a very good off-season. I’m excited to see the competition develop as we move closer to the season.”
On defense, the Mountain Hawks will have to replace four-time All-League selection Michaela Pawlewicz in the middle. Lehigh does return a pair of experienced seniors in Hailey Coonrad and Emily Means. Coonrad has the most experience as a center back, as she played alongside Pawlewicz before a knee injury prematurely ended her junior season. Means has made 26 starts over the last two seasons playing primarily on the outside, but she also possesses the ability to slide into central defense.
Senior Amy Mastromonaco, juniors Alex Warren and Roxy Jahangeri and sophomore Stephanie DeLuca could all see time in the back as well, but also possess the versatility to factor into the midfield if needed. Two members from Lehigh’s ten player freshman class, Genna Pepe and Sarah Stackhouse could vie for time in the back as well.
“Defensively, we will be experimenting with a lot of different combinations in the back,” states Oudin. “We have several players coming off injuries so we will have to see how effectively they can come back. There are a lot of players vying for different roles, so we should have a lot of versatility, with players able to play several different positions, which is exciting.”
There should be plenty of competition for playing time in the midfield for the Mountain Hawks. Mastromonaco and classmate Allie Caldwell are the senior members of the group and have seen extensive playing time in previous years. Sophomore Lena Cannon returns after playing in all 18 games as a freshman and finishing with a goal and two assists.
On the outside, junior Lauren Glazebrook returns after missing all of 2007 with a knee injury. Glazebrook saw extensive action on the wings as a freshman as she appeared in all 18 games. Sophomore Glynn Fitzer should also challenge for time out wide. Fitzer scored two goals as a freshman and also has the ability to play up front. Freshmen Hannah Cochran, Calyn Dolan and Leah Kulp could figure in the midfield mix as well.
The Lehigh attack should be spearheaded by junior Liz Carlos, who led the Mountain Hawks in assists (five) and points (13) in 2007. Carlos also scored four goals last year to lead all returning players, and possesses the versatility to help the Mountain Hawks either up top as a forward or as an attacking midfielder.
Among returning forwards, junior Natalie Hojnacki will look to regain form after missing the last year and a half with injuries. Hojnacki had an impressive start to her Lehigh career with three goals in the first ten games of her freshman season. Sophomores Kelsey Lusardi and Danielle Fritz could figure in as well, along with freshmen Ali MacLeod and Corrine Parkinson.
Versatility will be a strength for this Lehigh team, which features a number of players who could play in the midfield or up front. Freshmen Jana Basubas, Megan Cain and Mari Greenberg could all make early contributions in the midfield or up top.
The Mountain Hawks’ schedule remains challenging with non-league games against regional powers Rutgers and
“Although not as challenging as last year’s schedule, this schedule remains very strong,” says Oudin. “We will face two solid programs with good reputations at the Davidson Tournament, and we’re looking forward to playing some regional opponents that we’re used to playing in tough, but exciting matches over the last several years.”
The Patriot League remains one of the most challenging and competitive leagues around, and with so many improved teams the race to finish in the top four could come right down to the wire.
“Over the last couple years the league always comes down to the final weekend to determine the top four teams,” explains Oudin. “I’d be surprised if this year is any different. Every game is tight and extremely competitive. We’ve got to take care of our own business and try to get the maximum amount of points from every game we play.”
Lehigh opens its 2008 season on Friday night when the Mountain Hawks host Rutgers. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. and all the action can be seen online at Lehighsports.com with streaming powered by Yahoo! College Broadcasts.
