Saturday, November 2
Bethlehem, Pa.
11 a.m.
Lehigh University
(7-11, 2-4PL)
2
vs
1
Boston University
(6-12, 2-4PL)
1
2
3
4
5
F
Boston University
0
0
1
0
0
1
Lehigh
1
0
0
0
1
2
Storybook Ending! Pecora’s record-breaking OT goal gives Lehigh first-ever win over Boston U.
11/2/2019 7:14:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – When it woke up Saturday morning, the Lehigh field hockey team couldn't have dreamt about a more magical ending to its season than what would transpire. Celebrating Senior Day, the Mountain Hawks sent senior Amanda Boyer out in style, as junior Drew Pecora scored the game-winning goal less than two minutes into overtime to give Lehigh a dramatic 2-1 victory over visiting Boston University. Not only did that goal give the Mountain Hawks their first-ever win over the Terriers, but it also marked Pecora's program record-breaking 14th goal of the season and gave Lehigh its most wins since 2007 (seven). Lehigh finished with a 19-16 edge in shots against the defending Patriot League champions (and preseason league favorites), on the way to one of its biggest wins this decade.
"Today was just a fantastic day in all ways," said Lehigh head coach Taylor Dyer. "We played great on our defensive end and we created so many attacking opportunities against a really strong team, and we were able to capitalize. This was our first overtime game this season and the team didn't show any fear or hesitation. They went in with a lot of confidence and finished it fairly early in that first overtime period.
"It shows they were definitely staying committed and focused through the challenging parts of our season, which allowed us to finish on a really strong note this weekend."
Lehigh ended a season with two straight victories for the first time since 1997. In addition, Lehigh won its season finale for a second consecutive year for the first time since 1983-84. The Mountain Hawks also won their season opener and finale for the first time since 2010.
Saturday was Lehigh's first overtime win since a 1-0 home triumph over Lafayette in 2017.
The first half saw Lehigh hold a 10-4 edge in shots and the Mountain Hawks got on the board late in the first quarter. Off their fourth penalty corner of the game, sophomore Olivia Perrone fed junior Maddie Monahan, who rocketed a shot past Boston University goalkeeper Livy Golini with just 54 seconds left in the stanza.
The second quarter saw no scoring, but the Mountain Hawks held a 4-2 advantage in shots, including 2-1 in shots on goal. Boston University began to gain some momentum in the third, but Lehigh limited the opportunities. Despite an edge in possession, the Terriers held just a 4-3 advantage in shots. They converted the final shot into the tying goal off a penalty stroke with just five seconds left in the third.
The Mountain Hawks began to gain some momentum back in the fourth as freshman Maddie Kahn made six saves on one end, and Lehigh created three penalty corners on the other.
"We played really well in the first half. We were able to create a lot of attacking opportunities, then the momentum shifted a little bit in that third quarter," said Dyer. "I was impressed by the team's ability to check in after that third quarter and string together a really nice 15 minutes to end the game. We created a lot of opportunities and were really tough in our defensive end. To send the game into overtime showed a lot of toughness and grit."
Overtime is where Pecora became the hero. Junior Lenke Havas fed the ball towards the circle where classmate Anna Lehman made a deflection that helped free Pecora on goal. Pecora's initial shot was saved, but she buried the rebound.
It began a celebration for the win and the scoring record, but most importantly, for Amanda Boyer.
"We came out hard and fought hard every minute," said Pecora. "Our goal was getting Abe (Amanda) her best season and winning this day for her. Amanda is a great leader and great player. She is the true example of what you want in a Lehigh field hockey player and I'm so excited we were able to give her this win."
The Mountain Hawks finished with a 19-16 edge in shots and 12-6 advantage in penalty corners. Kahn was sensational in goal, making 10 saves.
"The team really stepped up," said Boyer. "The energy was there right from this morning's corner practice and in the locker room when they decorated it for me. The energy carried through the Senior Day celebration, the warmup and all throughout the full 60 minutes of the game. I am very thankful that my team was able to step up today and we were able to pull off such a big win."
Boyer is the first student-athlete the current staff (head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer and associate head coach Taylor Dyer) coached all four years.
"It's said to say goodbye to Amanda," said Dyer. "To be able to see her growth and to see how committed she's remained to our vision to the program, we're so grateful and are so happy we could end her out on a really positive note."
With the victory, Lehigh improved its final record to 7-11, including 2-4 in league play. The Mountain Hawks finished in a three-way tie for fourth place (with Holy Cross and Boston University), but the Crusaders won the tiebreaker.
Regardless, it was a huge season of progress for the program, who started the year 5-1 (its best start to a season since 1986). Along with its best overall record since 2007, the Mountain Hawks' 35 goals are also their most since 2007 while their 43 goals allowed are fewest since 2003. Lehigh's goal differential (-8) is also its best since 2004.
"BU is always a strong team and we have not often been able to compete with them the way we did today," said Dyer. "It shows the level our team is able to compete when we're all checked in and focused. It's making me really excited as this season wraps up and I'm looking forward to the future. I believe we have a lot of competitive games like this ahead in the Lehigh field hockey program."
Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Gallery: (11/2/2019) Field Hockey vs. Boston U., 11/2/19
"Today was just a fantastic day in all ways," said Lehigh head coach Taylor Dyer. "We played great on our defensive end and we created so many attacking opportunities against a really strong team, and we were able to capitalize. This was our first overtime game this season and the team didn't show any fear or hesitation. They went in with a lot of confidence and finished it fairly early in that first overtime period.
"It shows they were definitely staying committed and focused through the challenging parts of our season, which allowed us to finish on a really strong note this weekend."
Lehigh ended a season with two straight victories for the first time since 1997. In addition, Lehigh won its season finale for a second consecutive year for the first time since 1983-84. The Mountain Hawks also won their season opener and finale for the first time since 2010.
Saturday was Lehigh's first overtime win since a 1-0 home triumph over Lafayette in 2017.
The first half saw Lehigh hold a 10-4 edge in shots and the Mountain Hawks got on the board late in the first quarter. Off their fourth penalty corner of the game, sophomore Olivia Perrone fed junior Maddie Monahan, who rocketed a shot past Boston University goalkeeper Livy Golini with just 54 seconds left in the stanza.
The second quarter saw no scoring, but the Mountain Hawks held a 4-2 advantage in shots, including 2-1 in shots on goal. Boston University began to gain some momentum in the third, but Lehigh limited the opportunities. Despite an edge in possession, the Terriers held just a 4-3 advantage in shots. They converted the final shot into the tying goal off a penalty stroke with just five seconds left in the third.
The Mountain Hawks began to gain some momentum back in the fourth as freshman Maddie Kahn made six saves on one end, and Lehigh created three penalty corners on the other.
"We played really well in the first half. We were able to create a lot of attacking opportunities, then the momentum shifted a little bit in that third quarter," said Dyer. "I was impressed by the team's ability to check in after that third quarter and string together a really nice 15 minutes to end the game. We created a lot of opportunities and were really tough in our defensive end. To send the game into overtime showed a lot of toughness and grit."
Overtime is where Pecora became the hero. Junior Lenke Havas fed the ball towards the circle where classmate Anna Lehman made a deflection that helped free Pecora on goal. Pecora's initial shot was saved, but she buried the rebound.
It began a celebration for the win and the scoring record, but most importantly, for Amanda Boyer.
"We came out hard and fought hard every minute," said Pecora. "Our goal was getting Abe (Amanda) her best season and winning this day for her. Amanda is a great leader and great player. She is the true example of what you want in a Lehigh field hockey player and I'm so excited we were able to give her this win."
The Mountain Hawks finished with a 19-16 edge in shots and 12-6 advantage in penalty corners. Kahn was sensational in goal, making 10 saves.
"The team really stepped up," said Boyer. "The energy was there right from this morning's corner practice and in the locker room when they decorated it for me. The energy carried through the Senior Day celebration, the warmup and all throughout the full 60 minutes of the game. I am very thankful that my team was able to step up today and we were able to pull off such a big win."
Boyer is the first student-athlete the current staff (head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer and associate head coach Taylor Dyer) coached all four years.
"It's said to say goodbye to Amanda," said Dyer. "To be able to see her growth and to see how committed she's remained to our vision to the program, we're so grateful and are so happy we could end her out on a really positive note."
With the victory, Lehigh improved its final record to 7-11, including 2-4 in league play. The Mountain Hawks finished in a three-way tie for fourth place (with Holy Cross and Boston University), but the Crusaders won the tiebreaker.
Regardless, it was a huge season of progress for the program, who started the year 5-1 (its best start to a season since 1986). Along with its best overall record since 2007, the Mountain Hawks' 35 goals are also their most since 2007 while their 43 goals allowed are fewest since 2003. Lehigh's goal differential (-8) is also its best since 2004.
"BU is always a strong team and we have not often been able to compete with them the way we did today," said Dyer. "It shows the level our team is able to compete when we're all checked in and focused. It's making me really excited as this season wraps up and I'm looking forward to the future. I believe we have a lot of competitive games like this ahead in the Lehigh field hockey program."
Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
BU
LEHIGH
Goals
1
2
Shots
16
19
Shots on Goal
11
10
Saves
8
10
Corners
6
12
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
0
Scoring Plays
Monahan, Maddie (2)
Assisted By: Perrone, Olivia
Passes off corner, direct shot into goal
14:06
Conolly, Jodie (8)
BU Conolly, Jodie PENALTY STROKE GOAL, goal number 8 for season.
44:55
Pecora, Drew (14)
#8 fed into #17, initial shot saved, put
61:56
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
8
SOG
6
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Field HockeyD/M
/ Field Hockey
GK
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field HockeyD/M
/ Field HockeyF
/ Field HockeyM
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