Supporting an Alum, Supporting the Game
8/16/2019 10:09:00 AM | Women's Soccer, Features
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
Wednesday was a day off during Lehigh women's soccer's busy preseason schedule. But don't be mistaken… a lot was still accomplished.
"You can play the game as much as you can, but the only way to get better is to watch it as well," said Mountain Hawks' head coach Eric Lambinus.
On Wednesday, Lehigh traveled just over an hour west to watch Sky Blue FC face the Chicago Red Stars in a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) game, the highest level of women's soccer in the United States. Lehigh alumna Gina Lewandowski '07 is a member of Sky Blue FC, so Lambinus wanted to bring the current Mountain Hawks to one of her games.
"With Gina playing here, I thought it would be a great opportunity to come out and see some great soccer," said Lambinus. "With the national team winning the World Cup, we want our younger fans watching the game."
There has been an obvious boost in the women's soccer game since the U.S. World Cup victory. Sky Blue FC sold out a July game, and its game Sunday is being moved to 25 thousand seat Red Bull Arena.
"If support rises, our sport will continue to develop on the female side," said junior Lisa Kestelboym.
Wednesday's game featured plenty of U.S. World Cup stars, including Carli Lloyd on Sky Blue FC. Chicago fielded Julie Ertz, with Alyssa Naeher in goal.
Lewandowski has played her fair share of games at a high level. She missed Wednesday's match due to injury, but has more than a decade of experience playing overseas in Germany. She even has one game with the U.S. team under her belt – playing in a 2015 friendly against Brazil.
"Being able to see one of our alumna play with, and against, people who just won the World Cup on the national team, it's really incredible and something I couldn't even wrap my head around until now," said senior Kat Jacobellis. "One of our players could be at this level in a few years if they really put their mind to it."
Wednesday was a lot of things – a bonding opportunity, a chance to see the game played at the highest level and also, a boost of confidence for the 2019 Mountain Hawks. Even though they didn't see Lewandowski play due to injury, several Mountain Hawks met her after the game.
It was a reminder that they're at Lehigh for a reason and capable of great things.
"It's important for us to understand we have players who can play at this level," said Lambinus. "To know that Gina has a cap on the national team and is playing regularly with this team, our players should realize they're not far off."
It probably felt like just yesterday that Lewandowski was going through the rigors of preseason at Lehigh.
"She was in our shoes and probably went through the same fitness tests, the same level of soccer and now she's out here showcasing her talents," said Jacobellis. "Tonight, we're able to see how that can translate into something bigger."
Ever since the World Cup, the NWSL has been experiencing something bigger with increased interest and attendance. The Lehigh Valley community has an opportunity to see great soccer in its backyard as well.
Wednesday, it was the Mountain Hawks who were awestruck to see some of their heroes in action. During the 2019 season, the script will be flipped, with young fans having an opportunity to catch the Lehigh student-athletes in action. Nine home games to be exact (click here for the full schedule).
"We have to support our sport in general," said Lambinus. "We need all of our young fans to come out and see how great of a game it is, so women's soccer can grow and we can give opportunities for young women to play collegiately and professionally.
"The only way to do it is support the game."
Wednesday was a day off during Lehigh women's soccer's busy preseason schedule. But don't be mistaken… a lot was still accomplished.
"You can play the game as much as you can, but the only way to get better is to watch it as well," said Mountain Hawks' head coach Eric Lambinus.
On Wednesday, Lehigh traveled just over an hour west to watch Sky Blue FC face the Chicago Red Stars in a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) game, the highest level of women's soccer in the United States. Lehigh alumna Gina Lewandowski '07 is a member of Sky Blue FC, so Lambinus wanted to bring the current Mountain Hawks to one of her games.
"With Gina playing here, I thought it would be a great opportunity to come out and see some great soccer," said Lambinus. "With the national team winning the World Cup, we want our younger fans watching the game."
There has been an obvious boost in the women's soccer game since the U.S. World Cup victory. Sky Blue FC sold out a July game, and its game Sunday is being moved to 25 thousand seat Red Bull Arena.
"If support rises, our sport will continue to develop on the female side," said junior Lisa Kestelboym.
Wednesday's game featured plenty of U.S. World Cup stars, including Carli Lloyd on Sky Blue FC. Chicago fielded Julie Ertz, with Alyssa Naeher in goal.
Lewandowski has played her fair share of games at a high level. She missed Wednesday's match due to injury, but has more than a decade of experience playing overseas in Germany. She even has one game with the U.S. team under her belt – playing in a 2015 friendly against Brazil.
"Being able to see one of our alumna play with, and against, people who just won the World Cup on the national team, it's really incredible and something I couldn't even wrap my head around until now," said senior Kat Jacobellis. "One of our players could be at this level in a few years if they really put their mind to it."
Wednesday was a lot of things – a bonding opportunity, a chance to see the game played at the highest level and also, a boost of confidence for the 2019 Mountain Hawks. Even though they didn't see Lewandowski play due to injury, several Mountain Hawks met her after the game.
It was a reminder that they're at Lehigh for a reason and capable of great things.
"It's important for us to understand we have players who can play at this level," said Lambinus. "To know that Gina has a cap on the national team and is playing regularly with this team, our players should realize they're not far off."
It probably felt like just yesterday that Lewandowski was going through the rigors of preseason at Lehigh.
"She was in our shoes and probably went through the same fitness tests, the same level of soccer and now she's out here showcasing her talents," said Jacobellis. "Tonight, we're able to see how that can translate into something bigger."
Ever since the World Cup, the NWSL has been experiencing something bigger with increased interest and attendance. The Lehigh Valley community has an opportunity to see great soccer in its backyard as well.
Wednesday, it was the Mountain Hawks who were awestruck to see some of their heroes in action. During the 2019 season, the script will be flipped, with young fans having an opportunity to catch the Lehigh student-athletes in action. Nine home games to be exact (click here for the full schedule).
"We have to support our sport in general," said Lambinus. "We need all of our young fans to come out and see how great of a game it is, so women's soccer can grow and we can give opportunities for young women to play collegiately and professionally.
"The only way to do it is support the game."
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