Lehigh University
VCU
VCU ends Lehigh's unbeaten streak with 2-0 win
9/18/2009 5:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh saw its three game winning streak come to an end on Friday as the Mountain Hawks fell 2-0 to Virginia Commonwealth at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The visiting Rams capitalized on a Lehigh own goal in the first half and tacked on an insurance goal late in the second half to hand Lehigh its first loss in five matches. The Mountain Hawks fall to 4-2-1 on the season while VCU improves to 3-3-1.
“We were just a little off today,” explained Lehigh head coach Manny Oudin. “Our energy level at the beginning was not as good. We were a little off in our passing and in our finishing.”
The first half hour of the contest featured lots of midfield play and few shots for either side. A Lehigh clearing miscue led to the first goal of the match as sophomore Jana Basubas played an errant VCU cross over the head of junior goalkeeper Lauren Mains for an own goal that put the Rams up 1-0 in the 33rd minute.
The Mountain Hawks nearly pulled level at halftime, but a strike from senior Lauren Glazebrook crossed the goal line after time had already expired in the first period.
In the second half, Lehigh pressed for a tying goal but ran into some bad luck. Sophomore Megan Cain hit the far post with a shot from distance and several minutes later senior Liz Carlos banged a shot off the crossbar before two ensuing Mountain Hawk shots in the flurry were stopped by Ram keeper Kate Hudson.
“We were able to come back and put some pressure on them going for an equalizer,” said Oudin. “We were just very unlucky. We give up an own goal. We hit a post and a crossbar. Luck just wasn’t on our side. Sometimes in a situation like that you have to work a little harder and try to make your own good luck.”
VCU added an insurance goal in the 85th minute as Ashley Grant’s centering feed went to Jasmine Riley, who found Heather Hovanesian open at the far post for her second goal of the season.
The Rams out-shot the Mountain Hawks 10-8 on the afternoon and enjoyed a 7-4 edge in corner kicks.
Carlos and Cain paced the Brown and White with three shots apiece, while Molly Allen fired a team-leading three shots for VCU.
The Mountain Hawks will return to the pitch Sunday when they travel to Monmouth. Game time is set for 1 p.m. from West Long Branch, N.J.
Lehigh - VCU Post-Game Extra
