Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh opens season vs. Georgetown, at Saint Francis
9/1/2011 7:21:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - After waiting six days longer than expected, the Lehigh field hockey team will begin its 2011 season on Friday when it hosts Georgetown at Ulrich Field. Gametime is set for 7 p.m. The Mountain Hawks then hit the road on Sunday when they travel to Saint Francis (Pa.) to take on the Red Flash. Lehigh is eying its second straight season-opening win after defeating Sacred Heart, 4-1, to open last year.
Last weekend's game at Quinnipiac was originally moved from Sunday to Saturday due to Hurricane Irene, but then postponed until Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. That means Lehigh will now open its season at home for the second straight year; the Mountain Hawks went onto a convincing 4-1 victory over Sacred Heart last Aug. 27. Recently graduated Katey Fardelmann scored her first-career goal in that contest while current junior Kim Eng and seniors Madison Ingal and Abby Tilton also found the back of the cage.
Friday will mark the Lehigh head coaching debut for former Mountain Hawk assistant Stacey Blue. Blue served as head coach at AIC (American International College) last year, leading the Yellow Jackets to a 14-8 record and NCAA Tournament berth.
Lehigh will be looking to continue its all-time success against Georgetown. Coming in, the Mountain Hawks have won six-of-eight all-time, including all three at home. After falling to the Hoyas in the first-ever meeting in 2003, Lehigh won six in a row before dropping last year's decision.
Georgetown enters with an 0-2 record, falling to Davidson (2-0) and La Salle (4-1); both came at home. Catherine Shugrue has scored the Hoyas' lone goal of the season, with Laura Thistle earning the assist. Briana Pereira has started both games in goal, posting a 3.00 GAA and .625 save percentage.
On Sunday, Lehigh heads to Saint Francis (Pa.). This marks the fifth straight season the two sides have met with the Mountain Hawks taking three-of-four all-time. Lehigh is a perfect 2-0 at Saint Francis, winning in both 2007 and '09 by 3-1 finals.
The Red Flash enter with an 0-2 record after a pair of tough losses, at Ohio (7-0) and Richmond (5-0). Erica Johnson owns Saint Francis' lone shot on the season while Briana Pereira has started both games, posting a .556 save percentage and 6.00 GAA.
Following this weekend, the Mountain Hawks head to Monmouth next Friday (Sept. 9) at 4 p.m. before returning home to host La Salle next Sunday (Sept. 11). Gametime against the Explorers is set for 1 p.m.
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