Lehigh University Athletics
Women's soccer looks to extend winning streak this weekend vs. La Salle & Columbia
9/23/2010 6:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Coming off a 2-1 overtime thriller over Marist last Friday, the Lehigh women's soccer team returns to action one week later when it hosts La Salle (7 p.m.) before traveling to Columbia on Sunday (1 p.m.). The Explorers are the Mountain Hawks' third Atlantic 10 opponent in the last four games while Columbia marks the first of three Ivy League foes.
After a fairly light schedule thus far, things begin to heat up as the Mountain Hawks play at least two games per week from this point forward.
Now 3-1-1, Lehigh owns the second best winning percentage in the Patriot League, only trailing Army (7-2-0). The Mountain Hawks picked up their third win last Friday, but it didn't come easy. After taking a 1-0 lead only 2:30 into the game, it looked like they would roll. Marist continued to fight back, however, evening the score with less than a minute to go in the first half.
After an up-and-down - yet scoreless - second half, the game went to overtime where Lehigh would end it at 2:02 of the extra session. Senior Lena Cannon's shot was deflected by the Marist goalkeeper, but trickled over the line for the dramatic 2-1 victory, Lehigh's first overtime triumph of the season. It is now 1-1-1 in overtime games, also tying Syracuse and falling to Dayton.
Junior Leah Kulp made a key defensive play late in the second half to keep the game at 1-1. She was rewarded with Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week laurels. Freshman Murphee Greeley, who scored the first goal, was also recognized on the honor roll. She enters the weekend with a two-game goal streak and four-game point streak.
La Salle comes in with a 5-3-1 record. After defeating Canisius, 5-0, in the season-opener, the Explorers have played eight straight one or two goal games. The Explorers did play rival Lafayette on Aug. 31, falling to the Leopards by a 2-0 final.
Leading the way on offense is Renee Washington with 12 points via six goals. Anna Dolhansky has 10 points (four goals, two assists) while Leigh Gray has seven (two goals, three assists). Kierstyn Mabey is tied for the team-lead with three assists. Gabby Pakhtigian has played every minute in goal, posting a 1.16 GAA and .756 save percentage along with two shutouts.
Meanwhile, Columbia is 5-2-0 heading into the weekend, ranked fourth in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Ranking. Among its victories was an impressive 2-1 triumph over Big East foe St. John's. It also lost a heartbreaking 1-0 final to No. 1 regionally-ranked Hofstra in double overtime.
An extremely balanced offensive attack has seen eight different players score a goal and 12 record a point. Kelly Hostetler leads the way with nine points (two goals, five assists) while four are tied for second with four points apiece. Lillian Klein has been stellar in goal, with a 0.56 GAA, .895 save percentage and four shutouts.
The Mountain Hawks will face three Ivy League teams this season who are all regionally ranked. They play at Princeton on Oct. 13 (ranked 10th) and at Pennsylvania on Oct. 27 (ranked sixth).
Lehigh leads the all-time series against La Salle, 6-4-1. The teams most recently played to a scoreless tie last season. The Mountain Hawks' last victory came in 2006. They have struggled all-time against Columbia, going 1-6-1. Last season's matchup ended in a 1-1 draw while Lehigh's only win came on the road in 1993.
Live stats will be available both days on Lehighsports.com.
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