Mountain Hawks hit the road to face Colgate and Cornell
10/8/2010 12:06:00 AM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh field hockey team returns to action this weekend when it travels to central New York for a critical two-game stretch at Colgate and Cornell. The Mountain Hawks (2-9, 0-1 Patriot League) look to even their league record on Saturday before traveling to Ithaca for their final nonconference tilt of the season.
Saturday's showdown with Colgate (3-9, 0-1 PL) is set for 1 p.m. while Sunday's game at Cornell (7-3) will begin at 12 p.m. Ironically, Colgate and Cornell just faced each other on Wednesday with the Big Red coming out on top, 2-1.
After a busy schedule to start the season, the Mountain Hawks have only played two games in the last two weeks. This weekend marks the first and only time they play a game on consecutive days.
Lehigh looks for its second straight win over Colgate and fourth in the last six games. Despite a conference-opening loss to American last Saturday, the Mountain Hawks still have four league games on their schedule in hopes of qualifying for their second straight Patriot League Tournament.
The Mountain Hawks impressed in the opening minutes last Saturday, but struggled to contain the high-powered Eagles' attack thereafter. Junior Caitlin Donnelly had a near goal just over a minute into the game when her tough-angle shot squirted past American goalkeeper Hannah Weitzman and looked ticketed for the back of the cage. However, Tatum Dyer came in to make the clutch defensive save before it crossed the goal line.
Donnelly has been Lehigh's hottest offensive player of late, scoring all five of her team-leading goals in her last five games. She is tied with junior Madison Ingal for the team-lead in both goals and points. Seniors Jessica Miller and Lilia Stefaniwsky have teamed up to form a formidable duo in goal, posting save percentages of .705 and .720, respectively. Miller currently ranks fourth in the nation among active players with 299 career saves while Stefaniwsky is 16th with 218.
Colgate is led by Laura Denega with 15 points (seven goals, one assist) while Halle Biggar has 10 (four goals, two assists) and Adrianna Libutti with eight (two goals, four assists). Kendall Zaharris leads the team with six assists. Kirsten Lalli has played all but 23 minutes in goal, posting a .763 save percentage and 3.15 GAA.
The all-time series has been extremely competitive with the Raiders owning a slim 15-12-1 lead. The Mountain Hawks have bounced back from nine straight losses by winning three of their last five games, including two overtime triumphs. All three wins have come at home. Lehigh looks for its first road win over Colgate since 1996.
Cornell has impressed thus far in 2010, posting a 7-3 record. Despite a number of competitive contests in the all-time series, Lehigh has struggled to pull out wins against the Big Red. Its last came back in 1993. The teams have played in each of the last 19 years; 14 have finished with a two-goal margin or less. Cornell won last year's matchup at Ulrich Field, 1-0.
Lehigh head coach Julie Mazer looks for her 99th and 100th career wins this weekend as she stands only two away from the milestone victory.
After this weekend's action, the Mountain Hawks travel to Bucknell on Oct. 16 to face the Bison. Their next home game comes on Oct. 23 against Lafayette.
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