Wednesday, October 13
Princeton, N.J.
07:00 PM
Lehigh University
0
at
1
Princeton
Mountain Hawks drop tight 1-0 final at Princeton
10/14/2010 2:57:00 AM | Women's Soccer
PRINCETON, N.J. – Despite playing Princeton to a stalemate through the majority of regulation, the Tigers scored in the 86th minute to down the Lehigh women's soccer team by a 1-0 final, in nonconference action on Wednesday evening. The loss, which snaps the Mountain Hawks' (7-3-2, 2-1-0 Patriot League) three-game winning streak, marks their first regulation defeat of the season.
“It was a very even game,” said head coach Eric Lambinus. “We defended really well and had plenty of opportunities. We didn't always get shots off, but we had chances. They just finished one and we didn't.”
Princeton (8-4-0) entered the game in first place in the Ivy League with a perfect 3-0 conference record. The Tigers are ranked fifth in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Rankings and mark Lehigh's fourth regionally-ranked opponent of the season.
A defensive beginning didn't see the first shot of the game until 21:37 when senior Natalie Hojnacki's attempt was stopped by Princeton goalkeeper Kristin Watson.
“Neither team was getting behind the defense [at first],” said Lambinus. “The game got much more active as it moved along. I thought both teams played tremendously in the second half. Both teams had chances, both teams defended well and both goalkeepers were strong.”
Things started to pick up midway through the first half when Lehigh goalkeeper Lauren Mains made two saves in the span of 48 seconds, denying Sara Chehrehsa and Kalie Bartholomew in the 24th minute.
The Mountain Hawks had a number of opportunities late in the first half and into the second, including when junior Jana Basubas hit a crossbar with a shot. At 69:21, freshman Paige Dyrek made a run into the box where she made a beautiful cross to senior Liz Carlos, whose header was high.
At 81:42, the Tigers mounted a strong attack, forcing two corners while getting off a shot in less than one minute, but the Mountain Hawk defense stood tall.
Princeton did get on the scoreboard at 85:54 when Rachel Sheehy made a nifty lead pass from midfield to Jen Hoy breaking in all alone. Mains came out strong, but didn't get there in time and Hoy made the touch into the open goal to make it 1-0.
Final shots were 12-7 in favor of Princeton. Twelve of the game's 19 total shots were in the second half. The Tigers led in corner kicks, 3-0. Mains finished with four saves while Watson made one.
“The speed of play was tremendous,” said Lambinus when asked how the game will help the Mountain Hawks prepare for the rest of the Patriot League schedule. “They're a really good team. They're the top team in the Ivy League for a reason. Playing against that type of competition will get you ready for our Patriot League games. The speed of play is not something you can mimic in practice.”
Lehigh returns to the Ulrich Sports Complex on Saturday for its final home game of the season. The Mountain Hawks face Holy Cross at 4 p.m. in the back end of a doubleheader with the men. The men's game – also against the Crusaders – is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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