Lehigh University Athletics
Mains honored as PL Goalkeeper of the Week
8/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – On the day where the Patriot League handed out its first women’s soccer weekly awards of 2009, Lehigh junior Lauren Mains was honored as the league’s Goalkeeper of the Week, it was announced on Monday. Mains totaled 15 saves in two games for the Mountain Hawks, including a career-high ten saves in Friday’s surprising 3-1 win over Big XII member Nebraska in Lehigh’s season opener.
Mains helped keep the Cornhuskers off the scoreboard for over 65 minutes, as Lehigh built a 2-0 lead and went on to the two-goal victory. The New Jersey native made seven first half stops and added three more in the second to establish a new career high. Her previous career high was nine saves, which she accomplished against Saint Joseph’s and Cornell last season.
On Sunday, Mains made five saves in Lehigh’s 1-0 setback against ACC member Virginia Tech. Mains owns a 1.00 goals-against average after the first weekend of action, and has stopped 88 percent of the shots she has faced.
This marks the third Goalkeeper of the Week award for Mains, who was honored twice last season.
For her efforts, Mains was one of three Mountain Hawks voted to the All-Tournament Team at the Villanova Classic. Mains was joined by senior Natalie Hojnacki and sophomore Genna Pepe on the team, which was voted on by the head coaches of the four teams in the tournament. Hojnacki scored 10 minutes into the Nebraska game to put Lehigh in front, while Pepe enjoyed a strong weekend on defense, and added her first career goal to wrap-up the win over the Cornhuskers.
Lehigh’s 1-1 record and plus-one goal differential were good enough for second place in the four-team field. Host Villanova captured the championship with a win over Virginia Tech and a draw versus Nebraska.
Also on Monday, senior Liz Carlos earned an honorable mention from the Patriot League for her performance last weekend. Carlos scored Lehigh’s second goal and added an assist in the win over Nebraska.
The Mountain Hawks continue their season-opening road swing with games at La Salle on Friday night and Albany on Sunday afternoon. The La Salle contest gets underway at 7 p.m. from Philadelphia.
