Friday, August 28
Lawrenceville, N.J.
6:00 pm
Lehigh University
at
Rider
Mountain Hawks open season this weekend at Rider, vs. Davidson
8/27/2015 3:39:00 PM | Field Hockey
Friday at Rider: Watch Live | Live Stats | Sunday vs. Davidson: Live Stats
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh field hockey team will open the season this weekend when the Mountain Hawks travel to Rider on Friday (6 p.m.) and host Davidson on Sunday (12 p.m.). The Mountain Hawks return plenty of talent in 2015 and look to mesh with a talented group of freshmen as they eye their first Patriot League Tournament berth since 2011.
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Leading the way offensively for Lehigh is junior preseason All-Patriot League honoree Gabby Tofig, who was named second team All-League last season. Tofig, who broke out with a team-leading 17 points (eight goals, one assist), is joined on the offensive end by senior Lindsey Schott and juniors Amanda Granger and Marissa Glatt. Schott was second on the team with 11 points in 2014 (four goals, three assists) while Granger and Glatt each tallied eight points (three goals, two assists apiece).
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Junior two-year starter Julia Ward backstops the defense after tallying a .725 save percentage over her first two seasons. Lehigh's 2014 season was highlighted by a September stretch when it won four-of-five games. The Mountain Hawks are eying their first season-opening win since 2010.
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Coming off an 11-9 season in 2014, Rider loses its top point-getter but returns two of its top three scorers overall. Allison Baligian was the team's leading goal scorer last season with eight goals (for 16 points) while Carlota Alsina was third on the team with 13 points (five goals, three assists). Goalkeeper Joelle Prettyman returns after starting 18 of the Broncs' 20 games with a 1.93 goals against average and .700 save percentage.
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Rider leads the all-time series against Lehigh, 17-16-1. The teams didn't play last season, but had played in all but one year (2010) since 1981, the first-ever meeting between the two sides. The Broncs have won five in a row in the all-time series with Lehigh's last win coming in 2007 by a 4-2 final.
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Meanwhile, Davidson is coming off a tough 3-16 season, finishing 2-6 in the Atlantic 10. The Wildcats' leading scorer Melissa Funsten returns after tallying nine points (three goals, three assists) in 2014. In total, seven of the team's eight players who tallied a point last season return. Goalie Emily Leytham returns after posting a strong 2.86 GAA and .771 save percentage.
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Lehigh and Davidson have played just twice before, with each side winning once. Davidson won the first meeting in 1980 by a 1-0 final while the Mountain Hawks won in 2004, 3-0.
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After this weekend, Lehigh will head to Monmouth next Friday (Sept. 4) at 3 p.m.
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Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook and follow on Twitter for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh field hockey team will open the season this weekend when the Mountain Hawks travel to Rider on Friday (6 p.m.) and host Davidson on Sunday (12 p.m.). The Mountain Hawks return plenty of talent in 2015 and look to mesh with a talented group of freshmen as they eye their first Patriot League Tournament berth since 2011.
Â
Leading the way offensively for Lehigh is junior preseason All-Patriot League honoree Gabby Tofig, who was named second team All-League last season. Tofig, who broke out with a team-leading 17 points (eight goals, one assist), is joined on the offensive end by senior Lindsey Schott and juniors Amanda Granger and Marissa Glatt. Schott was second on the team with 11 points in 2014 (four goals, three assists) while Granger and Glatt each tallied eight points (three goals, two assists apiece).
Â
Junior two-year starter Julia Ward backstops the defense after tallying a .725 save percentage over her first two seasons. Lehigh's 2014 season was highlighted by a September stretch when it won four-of-five games. The Mountain Hawks are eying their first season-opening win since 2010.
Â
Coming off an 11-9 season in 2014, Rider loses its top point-getter but returns two of its top three scorers overall. Allison Baligian was the team's leading goal scorer last season with eight goals (for 16 points) while Carlota Alsina was third on the team with 13 points (five goals, three assists). Goalkeeper Joelle Prettyman returns after starting 18 of the Broncs' 20 games with a 1.93 goals against average and .700 save percentage.
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Rider leads the all-time series against Lehigh, 17-16-1. The teams didn't play last season, but had played in all but one year (2010) since 1981, the first-ever meeting between the two sides. The Broncs have won five in a row in the all-time series with Lehigh's last win coming in 2007 by a 4-2 final.
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Meanwhile, Davidson is coming off a tough 3-16 season, finishing 2-6 in the Atlantic 10. The Wildcats' leading scorer Melissa Funsten returns after tallying nine points (three goals, three assists) in 2014. In total, seven of the team's eight players who tallied a point last season return. Goalie Emily Leytham returns after posting a strong 2.86 GAA and .771 save percentage.
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Lehigh and Davidson have played just twice before, with each side winning once. Davidson won the first meeting in 1980 by a 1-0 final while the Mountain Hawks won in 2004, 3-0.
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After this weekend, Lehigh will head to Monmouth next Friday (Sept. 4) at 3 p.m.
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Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook and follow on Twitter for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Players Mentioned
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