Friday, August 26
Ulrich Sports Complex
4:00 pm
Lehigh University
vs
Rider
Mountain Hawks open season by hosting Rider and Monmouth this weekend
8/25/2016 11:01:00 AM | Field Hockey
Watch Live (Free) | Live Stats | Mountain Hawk Rewards Returns for Second Season
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh field hockey team opens its 2016 season this weekend, hosting Rider on Friday (4 p.m.) and Monmouth on Sunday (12 p.m.). Friday will mark the first game at Lehigh for new head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer, who was hired last spring. Both games this weekend can be viewed live online, for free, through the Patriot League Network.
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Following a strong spring and preseason thus far, the Mountain Hawks will look to continue the momentum built at the end of last season when they won their final two Patriot League games, both on the road. Offensively, Lehigh is led by sophomore Teresa Carotenuto who was a unanimous first team All-League honoree last season and unanimous preseason All-League selection this year. The local product led the Mountain Hawks in goals (11) and points (22), which both stood top 10 in the Patriot League.
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Three of Lehigh's top four scorers from last season return. Senior Gabby Tofig recorded seven points in 2015 (two goals, three assists) while classmate Marissa Glatt had six (three goals). Both have been named All-Patriot League in their careers, Glatt receiving the honor in two of her first three years. Meanwhile, a young defense will be spearheaded by senior goalkeeper Julia Ward, who has started since day one in the Brown and White.
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Rider finished last season 12-7, winning its final three regular season games before falling to Quinnipiac in the MAAC Tournament. The Broncs' top three scorers return this season in Allison Baligian (27 points: 13 goals, one assist), Carlie Spaeder (26 points: 10 goals, six assists) and Carlota Alsina (19 points: six goals, seven assists). Baligian and Alsina were named to the preseason All-MAAC team while Rider was predicted to finish third. Kesheal Henderson led the team with five defensive saves last season. A new starting goalkeeper will be in the cage, following the graduation of Joelle Prettyman.
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The Broncs hold an 18-16-1 lead in the all-time series against Lehigh, most recently defeating the Mountain Hawks 3-0 in last season's opener. The teams didn't play in 2014, but before that, played in all but one year (2010) since 1981 - which was the first-ever meeting between the two sides. Lehigh's last win against Rider came in 2007 by a 4-2 final.
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Monmouth has won two straight MAAC Regular Season Championships and came in second in this year's preseason poll. The Hawks will be led by two-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Casey Hanna. Alyssa Ercolino and Meg Donahue were also selected to the preseason All-MAAC Team. Â Ercolino is the team's leading returning scorer with 18 points last season (seven goals, four assists) while Donahue tallied 15 points (four goals, seven assists). Hannah had eight points (two goals, four assists) along with a team-leading four defensive saves. Christen Piersanti returns in goal after tallying a 2.32 GAA and .651 save percentage.
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Monmouth holds an 8-7 lead in the all-time series, which includes three straight victories. Last season, Monmouth held off the Mountain Hawks, 6-3, in a high-scoring affair. Lehigh scored the game's final two goals, from Tofig and current sophomore Lauren Dice. The Mountain Hawks last defeated Monmouth in 2012, winning 2-1.
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Following this weekend, Lehigh will face a fair of Ivy League foes next weekend, playing at Penn next Friday (3:30 p.m.) before hosting Cornell on Sunday (2 p.m.).
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Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh field hockey team opens its 2016 season this weekend, hosting Rider on Friday (4 p.m.) and Monmouth on Sunday (12 p.m.). Friday will mark the first game at Lehigh for new head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer, who was hired last spring. Both games this weekend can be viewed live online, for free, through the Patriot League Network.
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Following a strong spring and preseason thus far, the Mountain Hawks will look to continue the momentum built at the end of last season when they won their final two Patriot League games, both on the road. Offensively, Lehigh is led by sophomore Teresa Carotenuto who was a unanimous first team All-League honoree last season and unanimous preseason All-League selection this year. The local product led the Mountain Hawks in goals (11) and points (22), which both stood top 10 in the Patriot League.
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Three of Lehigh's top four scorers from last season return. Senior Gabby Tofig recorded seven points in 2015 (two goals, three assists) while classmate Marissa Glatt had six (three goals). Both have been named All-Patriot League in their careers, Glatt receiving the honor in two of her first three years. Meanwhile, a young defense will be spearheaded by senior goalkeeper Julia Ward, who has started since day one in the Brown and White.
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Rider finished last season 12-7, winning its final three regular season games before falling to Quinnipiac in the MAAC Tournament. The Broncs' top three scorers return this season in Allison Baligian (27 points: 13 goals, one assist), Carlie Spaeder (26 points: 10 goals, six assists) and Carlota Alsina (19 points: six goals, seven assists). Baligian and Alsina were named to the preseason All-MAAC team while Rider was predicted to finish third. Kesheal Henderson led the team with five defensive saves last season. A new starting goalkeeper will be in the cage, following the graduation of Joelle Prettyman.
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The Broncs hold an 18-16-1 lead in the all-time series against Lehigh, most recently defeating the Mountain Hawks 3-0 in last season's opener. The teams didn't play in 2014, but before that, played in all but one year (2010) since 1981 - which was the first-ever meeting between the two sides. Lehigh's last win against Rider came in 2007 by a 4-2 final.
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Monmouth has won two straight MAAC Regular Season Championships and came in second in this year's preseason poll. The Hawks will be led by two-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Casey Hanna. Alyssa Ercolino and Meg Donahue were also selected to the preseason All-MAAC Team. Â Ercolino is the team's leading returning scorer with 18 points last season (seven goals, four assists) while Donahue tallied 15 points (four goals, seven assists). Hannah had eight points (two goals, four assists) along with a team-leading four defensive saves. Christen Piersanti returns in goal after tallying a 2.32 GAA and .651 save percentage.
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Monmouth holds an 8-7 lead in the all-time series, which includes three straight victories. Last season, Monmouth held off the Mountain Hawks, 6-3, in a high-scoring affair. Lehigh scored the game's final two goals, from Tofig and current sophomore Lauren Dice. The Mountain Hawks last defeated Monmouth in 2012, winning 2-1.
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Following this weekend, Lehigh will face a fair of Ivy League foes next weekend, playing at Penn next Friday (3:30 p.m.) before hosting Cornell on Sunday (2 p.m.).
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Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Players Mentioned
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M/D
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F/M
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GK
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