Mountain Hawks host Saint Joseph’s on Wednesday
9/14/2010 10:05:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh field hockey team looks to get back on track when it hosts Saint Joseph's on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Ulrich Field. The Mountain Hawks look to snap a five-game losing skid after winning the season-opener in convincing fashion.
Despite the losing streak, Lehigh has shown some strong signs. Reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year Kimbely Eng continues to impress with eight points on three goals and two assists. Both the point and goal totals are tied for the league lead. Juniors Abby Tilton and Madison Ingal have five (two goals, one assist) and four (two goals) points, respectively. Senior Katey Fardelmann and sophomore Melissa Kuhns have scored Lehigh's other goals thus far.
The Mountain Hawks continue to pour on the pressure, leading the Patriot League with 83 shots for an average of 13.83 per game. They are also first in penalty corners (45), third in goals scored (nine) and second in save percentage (.695). Senior Jessica Miller has played all but one half in goal, posting a 3.97 GAA and .685 save percentage. She is fourth among active goalkeepers nation-wide in career saves (277).
The rivalry between the two "Hawks" sees Saint Joseph's entering with a 1-4 record while Lehigh comes in at 1-5. The Mountain Hawks have struggled of late, losing five straight after a season-opening victory over Sacred Heart. Two were one-goal losses, however, to Saint Francis (3-2) and Fairfield (2-1).
Saint Joseph's is led by former Lehigh head coach Michelle Finegan, who called Bethlehem home from 1996-02. Finegan's current squad has faced a challenging schedule in the early going, falling to two ranked opponents (No. 3 Virginia and No. 11 Drexel). The Hawks dominated Bucknell, 7-3, in their lone win of the season thus far. They also dropped a pair of close contests to Virginia Commonwealth and Cornell.
The Hawks are led by Nicole McCreight on the offensive end, who leads the team with four goals and eight points. Therese Doyle and Casey Fry each have four points via two goals apiece. Kelly Swanick has seen the majority of time in goal, with a 3.62 GAA and .754 save percentage.
Wednesday marks the first meeting between the two schools since 2003. Saint Joseph's leads the all-time series, 11-8-2, riding three consecutive wins in the all-time series. Lehigh's last victory came at home in 2000 by a 3-0 final.
Action begins at 7 p.m. with live stats available on Lehighsports.com.
