Saturday, February 23
Bethlehem, Pa.
1 p.m.
Lehigh University
1-2
19
vs
4
Saint Francis (Pa.)
0-2
1
2
F
Saint Francis (Pa.)
2
2
4
Lehigh
12
7
19
Photo by: Hunter Julius
Lehigh storms past the Red Flash, 19-4
2/23/2019 5:16:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women's lacrosse team scored seven straight first-half goals to take an 8-1 lead and wouldn't look back, on the way to downing Saint Francis (Pa.) 19-4 on Saturday afternoon for its first win of the season. Senior Kellie Gough scored five goals to help lead the offense while defensively, the Mountain Hawks allowed just 12 Red Flash shots compared to 18 Saint Francis turnovers. The 15-goal win marked the Mountain Hawks' largest margin of victory since Mar. 20, 2010 when they defeated Lafayette 20-4.
"It's always important to get off to a good start our transition game was pretty solid throughout both halves, generating offense from a lot of different players," said Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. "That was important for us. We definitely moved the ball well and didn't have nearly as many execution problems that we've had in previous game. It was a huge step forward for us."
Junior Sondra Dickey was stellar as well, filling up the stat sheet with four goals, two assists, five draw controls, two groundballs and two caused turnovers. Junior Autumn Ryan scored three goals for her third-career hat trick, while sophomore Hannah Cermack tallied a career-high five points. Freshman Emma McGillis caused three turnovers, as did senior attacker Courtney Henig, who also dished three assists.
Tied 1-1 less than two minutes in, Ryan scored twice in less than two minutes before Dickey followed with consecutive goals to put the Mountain Hawks up 5-1 just over nine minutes in.
Lehigh ended the run with goals from sophomore Julianne Puckette, Gough and Cermack. The Red Flash ended a 19:24 scoreless drought with 9:13 left in the half, but the Mountain Hawks responded with four unanswered goals to end the half. The run included the first-career goal from freshman Nora Giordano, as Lehigh took a 12-2 halftime advantage.
After Saint Francis scored the first two second-half goals, Gough responded with a natural hat trick, scoring at 22:14, 19:22 and 17:37 to give Lehigh a 15-4 lead.
Lehigh's run reached 7-0 to end the game, as Carron scored with 2:32 remaining to round out the 19-4 victory.
"Our off-ball play was a lot better today, so that generated scoring opportunities for the players with the ball," said Redfern. "We had some really nice slip cuts that were finished off, and our defensive end was just solid."
For the game, the Mountain Hawks held a 35-12 edge in shots, 21-15 advantage in groundballs and 15-10 edge in draw controls. Sophomore goalkeeper Samantha Sagi made two saves in 47:19. Classmate Claudia Hanover also saw action, as did freshman Kerry McHugh for the first time in her career. McHugh made four saves over the game's final 5:57.
"It's great for our team, just the vibe and excitement for the season when everybody can get involved in a big win," said Redfern.
The Mountain Hawks return home next Saturday, Mar. 2 to host UMBC at 1 p.m.
Like Lehigh Women's Lacrosse on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
"It's always important to get off to a good start our transition game was pretty solid throughout both halves, generating offense from a lot of different players," said Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. "That was important for us. We definitely moved the ball well and didn't have nearly as many execution problems that we've had in previous game. It was a huge step forward for us."
Junior Sondra Dickey was stellar as well, filling up the stat sheet with four goals, two assists, five draw controls, two groundballs and two caused turnovers. Junior Autumn Ryan scored three goals for her third-career hat trick, while sophomore Hannah Cermack tallied a career-high five points. Freshman Emma McGillis caused three turnovers, as did senior attacker Courtney Henig, who also dished three assists.
Tied 1-1 less than two minutes in, Ryan scored twice in less than two minutes before Dickey followed with consecutive goals to put the Mountain Hawks up 5-1 just over nine minutes in.
Lehigh ended the run with goals from sophomore Julianne Puckette, Gough and Cermack. The Red Flash ended a 19:24 scoreless drought with 9:13 left in the half, but the Mountain Hawks responded with four unanswered goals to end the half. The run included the first-career goal from freshman Nora Giordano, as Lehigh took a 12-2 halftime advantage.
This may be the best pass of the half, and that's saying a lot with what's been on display. Gough from Cermack and it's 7-1 Mountain Hawks! Watch: https://t.co/QFDi4FaGwX. #PLTop3 pic.twitter.com/aahUcmeboQ
— Lehigh W Lacrosse (@LehighWLacrosse) February 23, 2019
Keep the assisted goals coming! Another pretty good as Giordano scores her first-career goal in highlight-reel fashion. Watch: https://t.co/QFDi4FaGwX. #PLTop3 pic.twitter.com/GNxoQ9ugl8
— Lehigh W Lacrosse (@LehighWLacrosse) February 23, 2019
After Saint Francis scored the first two second-half goals, Gough responded with a natural hat trick, scoring at 22:14, 19:22 and 17:37 to give Lehigh a 15-4 lead.
Fastbreak GOAL! Cermack to gough and it's 15-4 Mountain Hawks. Watch: https://t.co/QFDi4FaGwX. pic.twitter.com/PNmAw59qGr
— Lehigh W Lacrosse (@LehighWLacrosse) February 23, 2019
Lehigh's run reached 7-0 to end the game, as Carron scored with 2:32 remaining to round out the 19-4 victory.
Mary Ellen Carron with a rocket to give Lehigh a 19-4 lead! Watch: https://t.co/QFDi4FaGwX. pic.twitter.com/mU21h9F7ed
— Lehigh W Lacrosse (@LehighWLacrosse) February 23, 2019
"Our off-ball play was a lot better today, so that generated scoring opportunities for the players with the ball," said Redfern. "We had some really nice slip cuts that were finished off, and our defensive end was just solid."
For the game, the Mountain Hawks held a 35-12 edge in shots, 21-15 advantage in groundballs and 15-10 edge in draw controls. Sophomore goalkeeper Samantha Sagi made two saves in 47:19. Classmate Claudia Hanover also saw action, as did freshman Kerry McHugh for the first time in her career. McHugh made four saves over the game's final 5:57.
McHugh enters in goal and makes her first-career save! Watch: https://t.co/QFDi4FaGwX. pic.twitter.com/e8btywYSLb
— Lehigh W Lacrosse (@LehighWLacrosse) February 23, 2019
"It's great for our team, just the vibe and excitement for the season when everybody can get involved in a big win," said Redfern.
The Mountain Hawks return home next Saturday, Mar. 2 to host UMBC at 1 p.m.
Like Lehigh Women's Lacrosse on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Here's what junior Alexandra Ladda had to say following today's 19-4 win over Saint Francis (Pa.) ‼️ pic.twitter.com/2JXGJxH2aQ
— Lehigh W Lacrosse (@LehighWLacrosse) February 23, 2019
Team Stats
SFU
LEHIGH
Shots
12
35
Turnovers
18
11
Caused Turnovers
5
10
Draw Controls
10
15
Free-Position Shots
3
3
Ground Balls
15
21
Game Leaders
G
5
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
0
G
4
A
2
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
2
G
3
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
0
G
2
A
3
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
1
Players Mentioned
A
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse2025 Lehigh Women's Lacrosse Season Preview
Thursday, February 13
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Lacrosse 2022
Monday, April 01
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Lacrosse
Wednesday, March 13
