Friday, April 26
Bethlehem, Pa.
1 p.m.
Lehigh University
8-8, 4-5PL
20
vs
3
American
7-10, 2-7PL
1
2
F
American
3
0
3
Lehigh
11
9
20
Lehigh dominates American, 20-3 to reach sixth straight Patriot League Tournament
4/26/2019 5:03:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women's lacrosse team impressed early, middle and late on Friday, defeating American 20-3 to advance to its sixth straight Patriot League Tournament. In a win-and-you're-in game, the Mountain Hawks erased much doubt early. American pulled within 2-1 and later 6-2, but Lehigh scored 14 of the game's final 15 goals for its largest margin of victory since 2011. The Mountain Hawks improved to 8-8 on the season, 4-5 in league play; they enter the tournament as the No. 6 seed, and will play at third-seeded Army West Point this Sunday at 1 p.m.
"I'm excited for our team to execute the way they did," said Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. "Offensively, they shot really well. Defensively, our team really knew the game plan and stuck to it. I thought Ladda was fabulous on their #16 (Emma Vinall, who entered the game with 50 goals) and got lots of supporting help, and Sondra had five caused turnovers. That was a huge effort on the defensive end."
The 17-goal win was Lehigh's largest since a 19-2 victory over Bucknell on Mar. 19, 2011. It was also the largest margin of victory vs. American in program history. It was also by far the Eagles' lowest goal total of the season (previous low was eight). The Eagles entered the day averaging 11.50 goals per contest, reaching double figures 11 times.
Senior and feigning Patriot League Attacker of the Week Courtney Henig continued to shine, posting seven points – all in the second half. She now has 23 points over her last three games, becoming the first player in Coach Redfern's 11 seasons as Lehigh head coach to record 7+ points in three consecutive games.
Senior Kellie Gough was equally as impressive, scoring five goals; she now has 15 goals and an assist over her last three games. Junior Sondra Dickey filled up the stat sheet with three goals, an assist, five groundballs, six draw controls and a career-high five caused turnovers. She is up to 75 draw controls this season and 166 in her career as she chases Kayleen Kelly's school records of 86 and 169, respectively.
Senior Mary Ellen Carron added three points (two goals, one assist), as did sophomore Hannah Cermack (one goal, two assists). Junior Alexandra Ladda helped spearhead the defense, covering Vinall and holding her to just two shots and one goal – which was a free-position tally.
Lehigh quickly opened a 2-0 lead with unassisted goals from Dickey at 28:51 and Henig at 27:26. After an American score, the Mountain Hawks got four straight goals – from Henig, Gough, Dickey and Henig – to take a 6-1 advantage. The Eagles pulled within 6-2, but the Mountain Hawks again staged a run, this time a 5-0 rally to take an 11-2 lead and holding an 11-3 halftime advantage.
Lehigh continued the momentum in the second, outscoring the Eagles 9-0. The Mountain Hawks scored three times in the first 2:30 of the stanza, the last two from Gough, to take a 14-3 lead and they wouldn't look back.
Also among Lehigh's second-half goals was Ladda's first-career tally and senior Jane Henderson's first goal of the season.
The Mountain Hawks finished with a 39-17 edge in shots and 17-14 advantage in groundballs. American finished with a 13-12 edge in draw controls. Lehigh had a season-low eight turnovers, while causing 16 of the Eagles' 19 turnovers.
Sophomore Samantha Sagi made seven saves, while freshman Kerry McHugh and sophomore Claudia Hanover also entered. Hanover stopped all three shots sent her way over the final 7:41.
"All Patriot League games are tough, so to have your backs against the wall and know you have to win four straight games is a credit to their mentality," said Redfern. "Just sticking to our program goal of never giving up and always getting better."
The Mountain Hawks will return to action in 48 hours when they travel to Army West Point for the Patriot League Quarterfinals. Opening draw at Michie Stadium is set for 1 p.m. on the Patriot League Network.
"We're playing so much better than we were three weeks ago," said Redfern. "Colgate (16-4 loss) was really our low point of the season and we've turned it around since then. Army will be a terrific opponent, but we're certainly capable of winning."
Like Lehigh Women's Lacrosse on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Gallery: (4/26/2019) Lehigh vs. American, 4/26/19
"I'm excited for our team to execute the way they did," said Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. "Offensively, they shot really well. Defensively, our team really knew the game plan and stuck to it. I thought Ladda was fabulous on their #16 (Emma Vinall, who entered the game with 50 goals) and got lots of supporting help, and Sondra had five caused turnovers. That was a huge effort on the defensive end."
The 17-goal win was Lehigh's largest since a 19-2 victory over Bucknell on Mar. 19, 2011. It was also the largest margin of victory vs. American in program history. It was also by far the Eagles' lowest goal total of the season (previous low was eight). The Eagles entered the day averaging 11.50 goals per contest, reaching double figures 11 times.
Senior and feigning Patriot League Attacker of the Week Courtney Henig continued to shine, posting seven points – all in the second half. She now has 23 points over her last three games, becoming the first player in Coach Redfern's 11 seasons as Lehigh head coach to record 7+ points in three consecutive games.
Senior Kellie Gough was equally as impressive, scoring five goals; she now has 15 goals and an assist over her last three games. Junior Sondra Dickey filled up the stat sheet with three goals, an assist, five groundballs, six draw controls and a career-high five caused turnovers. She is up to 75 draw controls this season and 166 in her career as she chases Kayleen Kelly's school records of 86 and 169, respectively.
Senior Mary Ellen Carron added three points (two goals, one assist), as did sophomore Hannah Cermack (one goal, two assists). Junior Alexandra Ladda helped spearhead the defense, covering Vinall and holding her to just two shots and one goal – which was a free-position tally.
Lehigh quickly opened a 2-0 lead with unassisted goals from Dickey at 28:51 and Henig at 27:26. After an American score, the Mountain Hawks got four straight goals – from Henig, Gough, Dickey and Henig – to take a 6-1 advantage. The Eagles pulled within 6-2, but the Mountain Hawks again staged a run, this time a 5-0 rally to take an 11-2 lead and holding an 11-3 halftime advantage.
Lehigh continued the momentum in the second, outscoring the Eagles 9-0. The Mountain Hawks scored three times in the first 2:30 of the stanza, the last two from Gough, to take a 14-3 lead and they wouldn't look back.
Just 13 seconds into the second half, Sondra Dickey with the draw control, Hannah Cermack with the pass and Autumn Ryan with the finish.
— Lehigh W Lacrosse (@LehighWLacrosse) April 26, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/QFDi4FaGwX pic.twitter.com/6CglDHHV7p
Also among Lehigh's second-half goals was Ladda's first-career tally and senior Jane Henderson's first goal of the season.
Ladda with her first-career goal and the Mountain Hawks are pumped!! From Carron.
— Lehigh W Lacrosse (@LehighWLacrosse) April 26, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/QFDi4FaGwX pic.twitter.com/JXuaf5aZvS
Jane Henderson gets on the board!
— Lehigh W Lacrosse (@LehighWLacrosse) April 26, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/QFDi4FaGwX pic.twitter.com/GBBbr0TQ6c
The Mountain Hawks finished with a 39-17 edge in shots and 17-14 advantage in groundballs. American finished with a 13-12 edge in draw controls. Lehigh had a season-low eight turnovers, while causing 16 of the Eagles' 19 turnovers.
Sophomore Samantha Sagi made seven saves, while freshman Kerry McHugh and sophomore Claudia Hanover also entered. Hanover stopped all three shots sent her way over the final 7:41.
Claudia Hanover with the stop!
— Lehigh W Lacrosse (@LehighWLacrosse) April 26, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/QFDi4FaGwX pic.twitter.com/J79kreeAd5
"All Patriot League games are tough, so to have your backs against the wall and know you have to win four straight games is a credit to their mentality," said Redfern. "Just sticking to our program goal of never giving up and always getting better."
The Mountain Hawks will return to action in 48 hours when they travel to Army West Point for the Patriot League Quarterfinals. Opening draw at Michie Stadium is set for 1 p.m. on the Patriot League Network.
"We're playing so much better than we were three weeks ago," said Redfern. "Colgate (16-4 loss) was really our low point of the season and we've turned it around since then. Army will be a terrific opponent, but we're certainly capable of winning."
Like Lehigh Women's Lacrosse on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Team Stats
AU
LEHIGH
Shots
17
39
Turnovers
19
8
Caused Turnovers
5
16
Draw Controls
13
12
Free-Position Shots
2
4
Ground Balls
14
17
Game Leaders
G
5
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
2
G
4
A
3
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
3
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
5
CT
5
G
2
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
2
Players Mentioned
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
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