Saturday, February 24
Bethlehem, Pa.
1 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Holy Cross
Lehigh set to host Holy Cross in Patriot League opener Saturday
2/23/2018 10:21:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Game Notes | Watch Live (PLN) | Live Stats
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Mountain Hawks will look to put a heartbreaking overtime defeat at No. 13/14 North Carolina behind them when they open Patriot League play on Saturday at home vs. Holy Cross. Opening faceoff is set for 1 p.m. on the Patriot League Network. Last week, Lehigh came back from early 4-1 and 5-2 deficits to take a late 11-10 lead over the Tar Heels, but UNC pulled even with 2:22 remaining in regulation and scored the game-winner just 36 seconds into overtime to prevent Lehigh's second win over North Carolina in its last four tries. Heading into this Saturday, Lehigh has won seven of its last eight and 10 of its last 13 Patriot League openers.
After trailing 5-2, the Mountain Hawks scored nine of the next 14 goals to take their first lead following junior Andrew Pettit's fourth goal of the afternoon, giving Lehigh an 11-10 advantage with 3:04 remaining. Pettit finished the afternoon with four goals and an assist, marking his third hat trick in as many games this season. He has now recorded multiple goals in 16 of his last 18 games dating back to his freshman season. Classmate Tristan Rai tallied three goals and an assist, while Lucas Spence had two goals and an assist. In total, the Mountain Hawks' starting attack scored nine of their 11 goals, with junior Alexander Tumminello and sophomore Andrew Eichelberger scoring the others. Eichelberger finished with a goal and assist, tying a career-high two points - a mark originally set last season at UNC. Junior Mickey Fitzpatrick dished an assist on Lehigh's first goal, from Pettit at 12:31 of the first quarter, marking Fitzpatrick's first-career helper.
Junior Eddie Bouhall helped lead the defense, posting three groundballs and three caused turnovers. Classmate Craig Chick had a groundball and caused turnover while freshman Teddy Leggett continued his strong play, posting three groundballs and causing a turnover. A very well-played game saw just 18 combined turnovers, only seven by the Mountain Hawks. Lehigh had just one turnover in the first half and one in the game's first 33:36. Lehigh's seven turnovers marked its fewest since Apr. 22, 2016 at Bucknell.
Freshman James Spence impressed, especially in the second half, finishing with 11 saves. He stopped 5-of-6 shots sent his way in the third quarter to help keep the Mountain Hawks within one, including 6-of-9 in the second half. Sophomore Conor Gaffney won 11-of-26 faceoffs with seven groundballs; he won 9-of-16 in the first half, but just 2-of-10 in the second half and overtime. Gaffney's 26 faceoffs taken marked a career high.
On Saturday, Lehigh will look to avenge a convincing 14-8 win by Holy Cross to begin last season's Patriot League schedule. It marked the Crusaders' first-ever win over the Mountain Hawks as Holy Cross went on to reach the league semifinals last season. Overall, Lehigh has still won seven of its last eight Patriot League openers as the Mountain Hawks begin a quest for their eighth straight league tournament appearance. Lehigh last won the league title in 2013, the second of back-to-back championships, while last reaching the title game in 2014.
Holy Cross finished last season 5-10 overall, but 4-4 in league play to earn a Patriot League Tournament berth, defeating Bucknell in the quarterfinals for its first-ever league tournament victory. The Crusaders did lose their top five scorers from last season though, who all posted 16 or more points, including Kevin Lux and his 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) along with Sean Kirkpatrick and his 43 points (31 goals, 12 assists). Logan LeBlond is the leading returning scorer with 11 points (six goals, five assists) while Sean Mullaney recorded 10 (seven goals, three assists). On defense, Matt Farrell returns after a team-high 21 caused turnovers last season. Mike Martens returns at the faceoff X while Jonathan Tesoro returns in goal after tallying a 10.77 goals against average and 0.451 save percentage in 2017. So far this season, the Crusaders are 1-2, falling to Providence (9-6) and Vermont (15-3) before winning at Harvard in double overtime (10-9).
Holy Cross picked up its first-ever win over Lehigh last season, downing the Mountain Hawks 14-8 despite seven points from Pettit. The last time the teams played at Lehigh, the Mountain Hawks pulled out a 12-11 win to improve to 26-0 in the all-time series. The teams first met in 1991, a 14-7 Lehigh victory.
Following Saturday's game, the Mountain Hawks remain home next Saturday (Mar. 3) for another Patriot League matchup as they host Colgate at 1 p.m.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Mountain Hawks will look to put a heartbreaking overtime defeat at No. 13/14 North Carolina behind them when they open Patriot League play on Saturday at home vs. Holy Cross. Opening faceoff is set for 1 p.m. on the Patriot League Network. Last week, Lehigh came back from early 4-1 and 5-2 deficits to take a late 11-10 lead over the Tar Heels, but UNC pulled even with 2:22 remaining in regulation and scored the game-winner just 36 seconds into overtime to prevent Lehigh's second win over North Carolina in its last four tries. Heading into this Saturday, Lehigh has won seven of its last eight and 10 of its last 13 Patriot League openers.
After trailing 5-2, the Mountain Hawks scored nine of the next 14 goals to take their first lead following junior Andrew Pettit's fourth goal of the afternoon, giving Lehigh an 11-10 advantage with 3:04 remaining. Pettit finished the afternoon with four goals and an assist, marking his third hat trick in as many games this season. He has now recorded multiple goals in 16 of his last 18 games dating back to his freshman season. Classmate Tristan Rai tallied three goals and an assist, while Lucas Spence had two goals and an assist. In total, the Mountain Hawks' starting attack scored nine of their 11 goals, with junior Alexander Tumminello and sophomore Andrew Eichelberger scoring the others. Eichelberger finished with a goal and assist, tying a career-high two points - a mark originally set last season at UNC. Junior Mickey Fitzpatrick dished an assist on Lehigh's first goal, from Pettit at 12:31 of the first quarter, marking Fitzpatrick's first-career helper.
Junior Eddie Bouhall helped lead the defense, posting three groundballs and three caused turnovers. Classmate Craig Chick had a groundball and caused turnover while freshman Teddy Leggett continued his strong play, posting three groundballs and causing a turnover. A very well-played game saw just 18 combined turnovers, only seven by the Mountain Hawks. Lehigh had just one turnover in the first half and one in the game's first 33:36. Lehigh's seven turnovers marked its fewest since Apr. 22, 2016 at Bucknell.
Freshman James Spence impressed, especially in the second half, finishing with 11 saves. He stopped 5-of-6 shots sent his way in the third quarter to help keep the Mountain Hawks within one, including 6-of-9 in the second half. Sophomore Conor Gaffney won 11-of-26 faceoffs with seven groundballs; he won 9-of-16 in the first half, but just 2-of-10 in the second half and overtime. Gaffney's 26 faceoffs taken marked a career high.
On Saturday, Lehigh will look to avenge a convincing 14-8 win by Holy Cross to begin last season's Patriot League schedule. It marked the Crusaders' first-ever win over the Mountain Hawks as Holy Cross went on to reach the league semifinals last season. Overall, Lehigh has still won seven of its last eight Patriot League openers as the Mountain Hawks begin a quest for their eighth straight league tournament appearance. Lehigh last won the league title in 2013, the second of back-to-back championships, while last reaching the title game in 2014.
Holy Cross finished last season 5-10 overall, but 4-4 in league play to earn a Patriot League Tournament berth, defeating Bucknell in the quarterfinals for its first-ever league tournament victory. The Crusaders did lose their top five scorers from last season though, who all posted 16 or more points, including Kevin Lux and his 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) along with Sean Kirkpatrick and his 43 points (31 goals, 12 assists). Logan LeBlond is the leading returning scorer with 11 points (six goals, five assists) while Sean Mullaney recorded 10 (seven goals, three assists). On defense, Matt Farrell returns after a team-high 21 caused turnovers last season. Mike Martens returns at the faceoff X while Jonathan Tesoro returns in goal after tallying a 10.77 goals against average and 0.451 save percentage in 2017. So far this season, the Crusaders are 1-2, falling to Providence (9-6) and Vermont (15-3) before winning at Harvard in double overtime (10-9).
Holy Cross picked up its first-ever win over Lehigh last season, downing the Mountain Hawks 14-8 despite seven points from Pettit. The last time the teams played at Lehigh, the Mountain Hawks pulled out a 12-11 win to improve to 26-0 in the all-time series. The teams first met in 1991, a 14-7 Lehigh victory.
Following Saturday's game, the Mountain Hawks remain home next Saturday (Mar. 3) for another Patriot League matchup as they host Colgate at 1 p.m.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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