Lehigh picks up impressive 12-6 win over Colgate

Saturday, April 7

Bethlehem, Pa.

4 p.m.

Lehigh University

8-5, 3-2PL

Colgate

8-4, 3-2PL

Colgate

Lehigh

Lehigh picks up impressive 12-6 win over Colgate

4/7/2018 9:29:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - In a matchup of two teams in the top half of the Patriot League standings, the Lehigh women's lacrosse team didn't leave much doubt, opening a 7-1 halftime advantage, on the way to a convincing 12-6 win over Colgate on Saturday at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The Raiders had won three straight and five of their previous six games entering the day, but it was the Mountain Hawks who handed Colgate its largest defeat of the season and largest in 16 games dating back to last Apr. 8. Lehigh improved to 8-5 on the season, 3-2 in Patriot League while Colgate fell to 8-5, also 3-2 in the league.

"It's always exciting to beat a tough Colgate team," said Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. "They've been on a run of wins. We've been having some new personnel out there, so I'm proud of our team and the way they came together. Both ends did a really great job and I'm proud of our coaching staff for having a great game plan."

The biggest story was Lehigh's defense, which held Colgate to a season-low six goals. The Raiders were averaging 11.82 goals per game and hadn't scored fewer than nine goals all season until Saturday. It marked Colgate's fewest goals scored in exactly 13 months when the Raiders scored six at No. 11 Cornell last Mar. 7.

Freshman goalkeeper Samantha Sagi backboned the defense with 12 saves, her fifth game this season in double figures and third game allowing six goals or fewer.

"Sam had a great day back there," said Redfern. "The defense was really cohesive and their communication was way up. If you play defense in this game, you know communication is a big difference maker."

Freshman Julianne Puckette led Lehigh's offense with career highs in goals (3) and points (4). Nine other Mountain Hawks scored a goal apiece, including senior Haley Wentzel and sophomore Sondra Dickey, who each had a goal and assist.

Lehigh jumped out to a 4-0 lead with goals from sophomore Autumn Ryan, junior Kaitlyn Quinn, Dickey and Puckette. After Colgate scored at the 14:03 mark, goals from Wentzel, Puckette and junior Kellie Gough gave the Mountain Hawks a 7-1 halftime advantage.

The Raiders began the second half with consecutive goals, but Lehigh responded with three straight and five of the next six goals. Sophomore Christine Balestra's second-career goal gave Lehigh a 12-4 advantage with 4:24 remaining, on the way to the 12-6 victory.

Final shots were 30-29 in favor of Lehigh while the Mountain Hawks held a 27-14 edge in groundballs. Colgate finished with a 14-8 advantage in draw controls. Samantha Croston made seven saves for the Raiders across Sagi's 12 stops.

"Our defense gives us a lot of confidence," said Redfern. "We have a seasoned defense, which gives our offense an opportunity to get their feet underneath them. I thought our offense did that today. Julianne Puckette had a good game for us. We need some people to score points down there now, who may not have earlier in the season. We need everybody to contribute offensively and today, that's what we had."

The Mountain Hawks will return to action next Saturday (Apr. 14) at 2 p.m. at Holy Cross.

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