Lehigh completes weekend sweep via 2-1 win over Bucknell

Sunday, October 10

Ulrich Sports Complex

1:00:00 PM

Lehigh University

Bucknell

Lehigh completes weekend sweep via 2-1 win over Bucknell

10/10/2010 9:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Women's Soccer: Bucknell Post-Match Extra, Oct. 10, 2010

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Junior Jana Basubas and senior Natalie Hojnacki accounted for the offense while the defense allowed only six total shots to lead the Lehigh women's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Bucknell on a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Ulrich Sports Complex. It was also Lehigh's Senior Day and its Pink Game in support of breast cancer awareness.

With the win, the Mountain Hawks improve to 7-2-2 on the season, 2-1-0 in the Patriot League, and move within a single point of first-place Army, who tied American on Sunday.

“The weekend was great,” said head coach Eric Lambinus. “We had two solid performances. We were awesome defensively, despite allowing the two goals. We limited our opponents' shots and had many great scoring chances.”

Hojnacki's first-half goal extended her point (and goal) streak to three. She has recorded all 11 of her points (four goals, three assists) in that span, having a hand in seven of Lehigh's last 10 goals to jump into a tie for the team lead in scoring.

The Mountain Hawks wore special pink jerseys to help promote and raise funds for breast cancer awareness. Pink Lehigh t-shirts were sold with a portion of the proceeds going directly to Susan G. Komen for the cure. Fans still have an opportunity to purchase these shirts while supplies last on Lehighsports.com.

“Our girls loved taking part, knowing that something like this is bigger than ourselves,” said Lambinus. “Anything we can do to help in the fight against cancer is great. We're proud to do it and represent Lehigh University.”

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The Mountain Hawks got off to the quick start when Basubas scored her third goal of the season following a corner kick. After the corner was headed away from traffic, Basubas blasted a shot from outside the box into the top corner of the goal to make it 1-0 at the 11:28 mark.

Bucknell looked like it would tie the score midway through the first half when Brooke Stokes was sprung in all along on Lauren Mains, but Lehigh's senior goalkeeper came out strong to make the dazzling point blank save to keep the Mountain Hawks on top.

A nifty senior-to-senior combination gave Lehigh a crucial insurance tally early in the second half. Glynn Fitzer chipped a pass into the box where Hojnacki gathered and fired a low shot past Bison goalkeeper Sandita McDermott to make it 2-0 at 46:19.

Mains made another incredible stop in the 68^th minute to deny Megan DeGennaro, who had a wide-open shot in the left side of the box. Bucknell did get on the scoreboard, though, when Caitlin Holtz converted a penalty kick at 83:41. Lehigh held on over the closing minutes for its eighth straight home win and sixth straight this season.

Lehigh led the final shot count, 14-6 while corner kicks were even at three apiece. A physical game saw 13 fouls called against the Mountain Hawks to 10 for the Bison. Both goalkeepers finished with two saves.

Seniors Fitzer, Hojnacki Mains, Liz Carlos, Lena Cannon and Lauren Glazebrook were all honored prior to the game as they play their final season in the brown and white.

The Mountain Hawks return to action on Wednesday when they travel out of conference to face Princeton. They return home for their final home game next Saturday at 4 p.m. against Holy Cross.