Fitzpatrick named Patriot League Rookie of the Week

9/24/2012 8:21:00 PM | Field Hockey

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh freshman goalie Sophie Fitzpatrick was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week on Monday after a strong weekend which was highlighted by her six-save performance in Sunday's 2-1 win over Monmouth. She helped lead the Mountain Hawks' efforts in allowing just two goals while posting a .800 save percentage for the week.
 
In Friday's loss to Sacred Heart, Fitzpatrick played the final 39:50 and allowed just one goal while making two saves. In the first 30:10, Sacred Heart scored three goals before Fitzpatrick came in and gave up just one the rest of the way. Fitzpatrick one-upped that on Sunday in her strongest performance of the season, making six saves to lead Lehigh to a 2-1 win over Monmouth. It marked the first time the Mountain Hawks defeated Monmouth since 2005.
 
The performance came against a perennial force in the NEC, which was coming off a five-goal outburst at Saint Joseph's Friday. Fitzpatrick made three saves in the span of 9:31 late in the second half to thwart off Monmouth pressure. Her performance helped the Mountain Hawks maintain their 2-1 lead and hang on for their third win in as many Sundays. The Rookie of the Week honor is the first of Fitzpatrick's career and Lehigh's first since Steph Fratoni earned the award last Oct. 10.
Senior Kim Eng also garnered honorable mention recognition for her two-goal performance in the win over Monmouth. Eng scored just 7:03 into the game to give Lehigh the lead and scored the eventual game-winner at 23:08 to break a 1-1 tie. Eng currently leads the team (and Patriot League) with seven goals and 17 points, while Fitzpatrick improved her goals against average to 3.50 and her save percentage to .613.
 
Fitzpatrick and Eng will lead the Mountain Hawks into Patriot League play Saturday when they host Holy Cross at 11 a.m. at the Ulrich Sports Complex.
 
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Lehigh field hockey team is organizing the First Annual Lehigh Valley Fox Trot 5K for Parkinson's Research. The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. Please click
here to make a donation and sign up today.
 
Story by Cameron Omsberg '13.
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