Field hockey heads to Siena on Wednesday
9/21/2010 9:48:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh field hockey team hits the road for the first time in nearly two weeks when it plays at Siena on Wednesday at 4 p.m. The Mountain Hawks look to bounce back from a losing streak, while extending their perfect all-time record against the Saints.
Lehigh is coming off a pair of spirited efforts against Saint Joseph's (Wednesday) and Monmouth (Friday). After falling behind 4-0 against the Hawks, Lehigh bounced back with two late first-half tallies. It added two more in the second to pull within 5-4, but it wasn't enough as Saint Joseph's held on for the 6-4 victory.
One standout was junior Caitlin Donnelly, who picked up her first-career hat trick and was in-turn recognized on the Patriot League weekly honor roll with honorable mention laurels. Senior goalkeeper Lilia Stefaniwsky also made a career-high 20 saves - 13 in the second half - holding strong in cage to give Lehigh a chance for the comeback.
Friday featured a tough test against Monmouth, a team receiving votes in the national rankings. Senior goalkeeper Jessica Miller make seven saves in goal to keep the Mountain Hawks within 1-0 at the half. Monmouth came out firing in the second half, though, eventually building a 3-0 lead. Senior Lauren Cawley scored to make it 3-1 with 12:44 left, but that was as close as Lehigh would get.
Lehigh looks to get back on track for the Patriot League season which is right around the corner. After a road game at La Salle on Saturday, the Mountain Hawks host No. 15 American in the league opener next Saturday at 11 a.m. The squad looks to return to the Patriot League Tournament for a second straight year. Four of the top six teams qualify.
There are a number of positives heading into this crucial stretch for the Mountain Hawks. Sophomore Kimberly Eng and juniors Donnelly and Ingal lead the team with three goals apiece. The senior duo of Miller and Stefaniwsky has been strong in goal as well. The two have combined to make 9.38 saves per game, seventh best in the nation. Individually, Miller is 18th with her 6.71 saves per game and 34th with a .712 save percentage.
Lehigh leads the all-time series against Siena, 11-0. The Mountain Hawks won last year's meeting, 3-2, behind two goals from Eng and 10 saves from Stefaniwsky. After holding a 3-0 lead, Lehigh held off a late Siena charge to pull out the one-goal victory.
Follow the action with live stats via GameTracker.
Playing for something bigger than the game
Thursday, October 23
MHT EP3 - Field Hockey
Thursday, October 16
Field Hockey vs. Boston U.
Saturday, October 04
Field Hockey vs. LIU
Sunday, September 28
