Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh heads to Penn, hosts Saint Francis (Pa.) in busy weekend
8/30/2012 5:02:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Looking to bounce back from a pair of one-goal losses, the Lehigh field hockey team eyes its first win when it travels to Penn on Friday (7 p.m.) before hosting Saint Francis on Sunday (3 p.m.). The Mountain Hawks are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to Ball State and 1-0 defeat to Liberty in a pair of tight contests. Lehigh is looking for its first-ever win at Penn after beating the Quakers for the first time in program history last season.
Senior Kim Eng paced the offense last weekend with a goal and two assists, having a hand in all three of Lehigh's goals to earn honorable mention recognition on the Patriot League Weekly Honor Roll. Sophomore goalkeeper Sydney Maltinsky-Wilson showed strong flashes for the Mountain Hawks, recording a career-high 10 saves against Ball State and nine against Liberty.
Lehigh will be Penn's opening game of the 2012 season. The Quakers posted a 4-13 overall record in 2011, but return 11 letterwinners and bring in six freshmen. Penn graduated its top two scorers, but bring back sophomore Alex Iqbal who tallied five goals and two assists a season ago. Last season's starting goalkeeper Kristen Sweeney graduated, leaving sophomore Carly Sokach, who played three games in net last season, as the leader of Penn's returning goalkeeper core.
Lehigh and Penn met last season for the first time since 1995, with the Mountain Hawks winning 4-3 for the program's first-ever win over the Quakers. Penn holds the all-time series lead, boasting a 9-1-1 record against Lehigh.
The Mountain Hawks also played Saint Francis in 2011, suffering a 3-0 loss to bring their all-time record against the Red Flash to 3-2. Lehigh's last win against the Red Flash was a 3-1 victory in 2009.
Saint Francis holds a 2-0 record after defeating Lock Haven and Longwood by 3-1 scores. Sophomore Autumn Pellmon scored all three goals for the Red Flash in the win over Lock Haven and classmate Carissa Makea tallied two in the victory over Longwood. Makea was named All-NEC a year ago after totaling 13 points on the season. Redshirt senior Katelyn Vitali has been strong in net for the Red Flash, playing all 140 minutes in goal and making six saves.
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
