Field hockey looks to bounce back Friday vs. Monmouth
9/16/2010 10:50:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a four-goal outburst against Saint Joseph's on Wednesday, the Lehigh field hockey team returns to action on Friday when it hosts Monmouth at 7 p.m. The Mountain Hawks are coming off one of their strongest offensive efforts of the season, falling just short of an improbable comeback victory.
Lehigh's scoring outburst all came in a span of 26 minutes bridging the end of the first half and beginning of the second. Down 4-0 late in the first half, the Mountain Hawks scored four of the next five goals to pull within 5-4, but could never get the equalizer. Leading the charge was junior Caitlin Donnelly, who picked up her first-career hat trick. Senior goalkeeper Lilia Stefaniwsky also stood tall with a career-high 20 saves in her first start of the season. Junior Madison Ingal added the other goal while freshman Emily Torcivia assisted on the first goal for her first career point.
With her three goals, Donnelly has propelled into a three-way tie for the team lead. Ingal and sophomore Kim Eng each have three as well. Eng also has two assists for a team-leading eight points.
Stefaniwsky's 20 saves have upped her save percentage to .774 while fellow senior Jessica Miller has a 3.97 GAA and .685 save percentage.
Monmouth enters the weekend at 4-1 and is receiving votes in the Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I National Coaches' Poll. The Hawks were predicted second in the preseason Northeast Conference poll and have lived up to expectations thus far, defeating Villanova, Colgate, Brown and Delaware in the early going.
Leading the way on offense are Alex Carroll and Morganne Firmstone with eight points apiece on three goals and two assists. Michelle Pieczynski is also tied for the team lead with three goals. Goalkeeper Melissa Katz has started all five games in the cage, posting a 1.20 GAA and.750 save percentage.
Lehigh leads the all-time series, 6-3, including winning three-of-four at home. The Mountain Hawks impressed early in the all-time series, winning the first four meetings from 1997-2000.The last times the teams met was in 2005, a 2-1 Lehigh victory.
Action begins at 7 p.m. with live stats on Lehighsports.com.
Field Hockey vs. LIU
Sunday, September 28
Lehigh Sports Central: Field Hockey
Wednesday, September 24
Field Hockey vs. Temple
Sunday, September 14
2025 Lehigh Field Hockey Season Preview
Wednesday, August 27
