Lehigh University
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech holds off Lehigh 1-0 on Sunday
8/30/2009 11:45:00 AM | Women's Soccer
 |
VILLANOVA, Pa. – Looking to knock-off its second major conference opponent in three days, Lehigh hung tough with Virginia Tech, but the Mountain Hawks ultimately suffered a 1-0 setback in their final game of the Villanova Classic Sunday morning at the Villanova Soccer Stadium. Marika Gray netted the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute to lead the Hokies, who improved to 2-1 on the season. Lehigh falls to 1-1 with the loss.
Gray netted the only goal of the contest with a shot from the top left corner of the 18-yard box at the 32:55 mark. Robin Chidester assisted on the goal, and Virginia Tech carried a 1-0 lead into halftime. The Hokies out-shot the Mountain Hawks by an 8-1 margin in the opening 45 minutes, with Lehigh’s only shot, by senior Hailey Coonrad being saved by Rebekah Brook.
Lehigh pressed for an equalizer in the second half, but only mustered three shots against the Hokie defense. Seniors Natalie Hojnacki and Alex Warren and sophomore Jana Basubas accounted for the Mountain Hawks shots, but Virginia Tech was up to the task as Brook and Stephanie Balanoff combined to pitch the shutout.
“We came out a little slow,” said Lehigh head coach Manny Oudin. “We had some problems finding our legs but in the last 10-15 minutes of the first half we found some energy. In the second half they had some opportunities and we had some as well.
Oudin continued, “Overall the effort was good. We faced two tough opponents in a 48 hour span and were able to find the energy to compete well. Virginia Tech is a good team, and they showed that today.”
For the game, Virginia Tech held a 14-4 advantage in shots and a 5-3 edge in corner kicks. The Hokies were called for 11 fouls, while Lehigh was whistled for ten.
The Mountain Hawks will be back in action on Friday night when they travel to La Salle. Game time is set for 7 p.m. from Philadelphia.
