Friday, February 7
Bethlehem, Pa.
3 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Iona
Mountain Hawks set to open season Friday afternoon vs. Iona
2/6/2020 3:15:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women's lacrosse team will kick off the 2020 season on Friday as the Mountain Hawks host Iona. Gametime at the Ulrich Sports Complex is set for 3 p.m. on the Patriot League Network. Friday will mark the third straight season the Mountain Hawks open their season at home, beating St. Bonaventure two years ago and falling to Liberty last year. Lehigh will face Iona for the fourth time in program history and first time since 2017.
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The Mountain Hawks came on strong late in 2019 to advance to their sixth straight Patriot League Tournament. Lehigh won its final four league contests, against Holy Cross, Lafayette, Bucknell and American – all in the span of 14 days – to earn the No. 6 seed and a Patriot League Quarterfinal showdown at Army West Point. In that game, the Black Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead, the Mountain Hawks pulled within 3-2 and later 5-4, but couldn't get over the hump.
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The 2020 Lehigh women's lacrosse team features a strong mix of veteran and young players, including 10 freshmen. Two-time All-Region honoree Sondra Dickey is a staple all over the field, leading the Mountain Hawks in goals (53), points (67), groundballs (tied) (34), caused turnovers (28) and draw controls (78) last season. Senior Alexandra Ladda is another returning All-Patriot League honoree at defense.
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Iona finished last season 1-16, 0-8 in the MAAC. The Gaels were voted ninth in the conference preseason poll. Iona returns four of its top five scorers from last season, led by Leah Marshall (28 points: 24 goals, four assists) and Christine Gironda (27 points: seven goals, team-leading 20 assists). A top returnee defender is Alyssa Connell, who led the Gaels with 30 caused turnovers in 2019. Iona also graduated its starting goalkeeper from a season ago.
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Lehigh is 3-0 all-time against Iona, defeating the Gaels in 2011 (14-9), 2016 (14-11) and 2017 (13-3). The first two meetings came at Lehigh, with the most recent being at Iona.
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Following Friday's contest, the Mountain Hawks hit the road for consecutive contests, at UMBC next Tuesday (Feb. 11) and Penn State next Saturday (Feb. 15).
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Like Lehigh Women's Lacrosse on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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The Mountain Hawks came on strong late in 2019 to advance to their sixth straight Patriot League Tournament. Lehigh won its final four league contests, against Holy Cross, Lafayette, Bucknell and American – all in the span of 14 days – to earn the No. 6 seed and a Patriot League Quarterfinal showdown at Army West Point. In that game, the Black Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead, the Mountain Hawks pulled within 3-2 and later 5-4, but couldn't get over the hump.
Â
The 2020 Lehigh women's lacrosse team features a strong mix of veteran and young players, including 10 freshmen. Two-time All-Region honoree Sondra Dickey is a staple all over the field, leading the Mountain Hawks in goals (53), points (67), groundballs (tied) (34), caused turnovers (28) and draw controls (78) last season. Senior Alexandra Ladda is another returning All-Patriot League honoree at defense.
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Iona finished last season 1-16, 0-8 in the MAAC. The Gaels were voted ninth in the conference preseason poll. Iona returns four of its top five scorers from last season, led by Leah Marshall (28 points: 24 goals, four assists) and Christine Gironda (27 points: seven goals, team-leading 20 assists). A top returnee defender is Alyssa Connell, who led the Gaels with 30 caused turnovers in 2019. Iona also graduated its starting goalkeeper from a season ago.
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Lehigh is 3-0 all-time against Iona, defeating the Gaels in 2011 (14-9), 2016 (14-11) and 2017 (13-3). The first two meetings came at Lehigh, with the most recent being at Iona.
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Following Friday's contest, the Mountain Hawks hit the road for consecutive contests, at UMBC next Tuesday (Feb. 11) and Penn State next Saturday (Feb. 15).
Â
Like Lehigh Women's Lacrosse on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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Players Mentioned
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