Lehigh reached new heights in '09; looks to future
5/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
 |
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women’s lacrosse program reached new heights in 2009, winning its most games since the 1996 season and tying the school record for the most league victories in a season. The Mountain Hawks earned the number-two seed in the Patriot League Tournament and for the fourth consecutive year produced the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Year. Jill Redfern recently completed her first season as head coach for the Brown and White, and is anxious to build upon the success the Mountain Hawks achieved in ’09.
Redfern offered her thoughts on the season. “We made some great gains this season with wins over Drexel, Columbia and Colgate. However, our performance within the league was not as strong as we expected.”
Lehigh began the 2009 season with a pair of wins, including a dramatic 11-10 overtime victory over Mount St. Mary’s on the strength of freshman Leigh Ann Torcivia’s first collegiate goal. Torcivia, who would later move into the starting lineup, went onto earn All-Patriot League accolades and quickly established herself as one of the top clearing midfielders for the Mountain Hawks with her exceptional speed and athleticism.
Following a tough stretch of games in early March that included a one-goal setback versus ACC member Boston College, the Mountain Hawks caught fire, ripping off six straight wins from March 14 through March 30. During that time the Brown and White outscored its opponents 99-44, and netted 20 or more goals on two occasions.
An overtime setback at Holy Cross in early April put an end to Lehigh’s winning streak and left the Mountain Hawks postseason hopes up in the air. But led by a powerful senior class, the Brown and White responded to easily win its final two league contests, including a 15-11 win over eventual league champion Colgate on Senior Day which vaulted the Mountain Hawks to the number-two seed for the PL Tournament. Lehigh fell to Navy in the semifinals of the tournament but not without a fight. Trailing 12-7 with 8:34 remaining in the contest, Lehigh closed to within 12-11 with just 31 seconds to go, but Navy was awarded the ensuing draw control and held on for the win.
Despite the postseason setback, 2009 will go down as one of the more successful seasons in program history. Lehigh placed a school record eight student-athletes on the All-Patriot League teams, including freshman Kelly Draper who was honored with Rookie of the Year accolades. Draper’s selection as the 2009 Rookie of the Year makes the Lehigh women’s lacrosse program the first in league history to produce four consecutive Rookies of the Year. The Mountain Hawks also won the fourth most games in program history during the ’09 season, and the most home games in school annals with seven.
With six of its All-League selections coming back next season, Redfern and the Mountain Hawks have high expectations as they combine a very talented group of upperclassmen with yet another strong group of incoming freshmen. “We are very anxious to welcome our new class to Lehigh in August,” Redfern explained. “The addition of this versatile class will give us players that can contribute immediately as well as add overall depth. We anticipate our 2009-10 team to be one of Lehigh’s strongest; of course achieving that goal requires a huge amount of effort between now and next February.”
Redfern recently announced the team’s award winners for the 2009 season. Senior co-captain Tess McGrath was named the team’s Scholar Athlete of the Year winner. McGrath is an accounting major who graduated from Lehigh with a 3.42 grade point average and she is a multi-year member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. “Tess’ selection for this award by her teammates indicates the respect she has earned both on the field and in the classroom,” Redfern explained. “Tess’ first All-League selection came as a senior after a position change which reflects our team-first attitude.”
Following a season in which she was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, sophomore Lauren Dykstra earned the Lehigh Women’s Lacrosse Outstanding Athlete Award. “Lauren is not only a special athlete, but has become an outstanding lacrosse player at Lehigh,” Redfern commented. “Her teammates recognized her accomplishments and her work ethic in selecting her for this award.”
The 2009 Coaches Award went to senior Sara MacIntyre, who leaves Lehigh as the number-four goal scorer in school history. “Sara epitomized the term ‘unselfish’ this year,” Redfern said. “She accepted a role that included less scoring and more off-ball play. She was the link between the coaches and the offensive unit. Her presence on the field was a key to our success.”
Lehigh loses a strong group of seniors, including McGrath, MacIntyre, Sarah Fudin, Meagan Tenety and Meghan Tranter that helped lead Lehigh to three Patriot League Tournament appearances and 35 victories during their four seasons in the Brown and White. “We cannot replace our senior class,” Redfern explained. “They are five uniquely talented players that have changed this program from a struggling one to a successful one.” She continued, “We will not try to fill their shoes, but instead we will take the contributions they have made and build upon them. Our 2009-10 team will have its own strengths and style of play, but will reflect the pride and determination of the classes that have come before them.”
