Lehigh scores 10 of final 11 goals to cruise past Bucknell on Senior Day, 14-5

Sunday, April 22

Bethlehem, Pa.

1 p.m.

Lehigh University

11-5, 6-2PL

Bucknell

3-12, 1-7PL

Bucknell

Lehigh

Lehigh scores 10 of final 11 goals to cruise past Bucknell on Senior Day, 14-5

4/22/2018 4:08:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After trailing 2-0 early, the Lehigh women's lacrosse team went on to score 14 of the game's final 17 goals, including 10 of the last 11, as the Mountain Hawks (11-5, 6-2 PL) picked up their fifth straight win, 14-5 on Sunday afternoon at the Ulrich Sports Complex. With the win, Lehigh clinches the No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament and a home game in the Patriot League Quarterfinals, with one regular season game still remaining (at American Saturday). Sunday was Senior Day as the Mountain Hawks' senior class was recognized prior to opening draw. One of the seniors, Kayleen Kelly, went on to post a school single-game record 10 draw controls, breaking Carli Sukonik's previous record of nine in March of 2012.

"It's always so emotional on Senior Day," said Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. "I'm proud of the team for keeping its focus in that second half and making sure that we got this W. Our first half wasn't our best lacrosse, but we got better as we went along."

Several Mountain Hawks put forth career efforts. Offensively, senior Haley Wentzel tied a career-high five goals for a second straight game while sophomore Sondra Dickey posted career highs in points (8) and assists (5).

One game after posting a career-high four assists, freshman Julianne Puckette tied a career-high three goals, tallying a hat trick for the third time in the last four games. Junior Olivia Kelly added three points (one goal, two assists).

Along with her school-record for draws, Kayleen Kelly tied a career-high four caused turnovers while senior Kierstyn Voiro recorded three groundballs and four caused turnovers. Dickey added three groundballs, three draw controls and a caused turnover to go with her eight points.

"Kayleen's just so tough on the draw," said Redfern. "She's relentless on the ground and she makes a play on just about every one of them. Sondra's assists were exciting for us today. She's drawing two, three, four defenders on nearly every possession so the girls who are free are now able to put their shots away. That's key going forward."

Bucknell scored two early goals, at the 28:57 and 24:43 marks, to jump out in front, but Lehigh answered with its first of three 4-0 runs or more. Dickey and Puckette scored to pull the Mountain Hawks even before Wentzel netted consecutive goals to give Lehigh a 4-2 lead with 18:35 left in the first half.

(4/22/2018) Women's Lacrosse Senior Day vs. Bucknell

The Bison responded with the next two goals, at 10:46 of the first half and 29:31 of the second, to pull even, but another 4-0 Lehigh surge which included two more Wentzel goals, gave Lehigh an 8-4 lead with 18:31 remaining. Bucknell pulled within 8-5 on a free-position shot, but the Mountain Hawks reeled off five unanswered goals to end the game, from five different goal scorers. Sophomore Autumn Ryan rounded out the scoring in the final minute to account for the 14-5 final.

Final shots were 31-20 in favor of Lehigh while the Mountain Hawks held a 20-18 edge in groundballs and 15-8 advantage in draw controls. Freshman Samantha Sagi was stellar once again in goal, stopping 10-of-15 shots sent her way to give her 24 saves, allowing just 11 goals, over the last two games. She has tallied double-figure saves in four straight contests, stopping 49-of-77 in that span (63.4 save percentage).

The Mountain Hawks will wrap up the regular season at American this Saturday. Opening draw is set for 12 p.m. Lehigh will then host a Patriot League Quarterfinal contest on Tuesday, May 1.

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