Sunday, October 17
Bethlehem, Pa.
1 p.m.
Lehigh University
(10-5)
3
vs
0
Rider
(9-5)
1
2
3
4
F
Rider
0
0
0
0
0
Lehigh
0
1
1
1
3
Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Lehigh Shuts Out Defending NEC Champ Rider, 3-0, for 10th Win of Season
10/17/2021 6:24:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh field hockey team bounced back from a tough Saturday in a big way, scoring a single goal in the second, third and fourth quarters to shut-out defending NEC Champion Rider, 3-0 on Sunday afternoon. The Mountain Hawks' three-goal victory over the Broncs was their largest in the all-time series since 1998 (19 meetings ago). Rider entered Sunday 9-4 with its only losses entering the day coming by two goals or fewer.
The win gives Lehigh 10 victories on the season, its first time in double figures since 1994. It also clinched a winning overall record this season (no matter what happens in the postseason) for the first time since '94. Despite Saturday's loss at Bucknell, the Mountain Hawks officially clinched their first Patriot League Tournament berth since 2012, due to out-of-town results.
On Sunday, Lehigh also improved to 5-0 after losses this season and 7-1 at home.
The Mountain Hawks came out of the game strong, holding a 5-1 first-quarter edge in shots (4-0 in shots on goal), but couldn't beat the Rider goalkeeper.
Lehigh broke through in the 24th minute on its sixth penalty corner of the half. After the initial goalie save and a defensive stop, senior Drew Pecora put home the rebound.
The 1-0 score stood until just 1:23 into the third quarter, as junior Sarah Bonthuis fired an impressive shot into the far corner from just inside the circle, giving Lehigh a 2-0 lead. Pecora picked up an assist on the play.
The Mountain Hawks' defense impressed throughout, not allowing a shot on goal until the 43:48 mark, which junior goalkeeper Maddie Kahn stopped. Rider held a 3-1 fourth-quarter edge in shots, but graduate student Lenke Havas turned Lehigh's second shot of the half into its second goal. Havas took a feed from senior Olivia Perrone on a corner and buried her 10th of the season.
Final shots were 13-7 in favor of Lehigh while the Mountain Hawks held a 7-1 advantage in penalty corners. Lehigh held Rider to two shots on goal, which was tied for a season low for the Broncs. They entered Sunday averaging a Northeast Conference leading 2.39 goals per game.
"Our defense was really strong and did a nice job with their outleting," said Dallmeyer. "The attack was fired up, trying to get some more shots on goal and hopefully score not just on corners, which is a goal for us. So I was really happy Sarah was able to break out with that goal, which changed momentum for us."
The Mountain Hawks now remain home on Saturday to host rival Lafayette on Senior Night in The Rivalry presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health. Gametime is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
"I think we knew it was going to be a special season, but I didn't know how great it would feel to be able to accomplish the goals we set for ourselves," said Dallmeyer. "We're trying to continue to balance that excitement and pride we're feeling right now and still be focused on the goals we're trying to achieve for the rest of the season.
"I'm proud. It's been a great team, starting from the senior class, who really decided to be the change in the program and then were able to do it. I'm so happy for them that they're able to experience this level of success before they graduate."
Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
The win gives Lehigh 10 victories on the season, its first time in double figures since 1994. It also clinched a winning overall record this season (no matter what happens in the postseason) for the first time since '94. Despite Saturday's loss at Bucknell, the Mountain Hawks officially clinched their first Patriot League Tournament berth since 2012, due to out-of-town results.
On Sunday, Lehigh also improved to 5-0 after losses this season and 7-1 at home.
"It says a lot about a team to be able to rally back, refocus and then recharge to come out strong after a tough loss," said Lehigh head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer. "Yesterday was tough for a lot of different reasons. We didn't perform the way we wanted to, so it was a tough bus ride home and some hours to sit on what we needed to do better going into today. We watched some film this morning, we gave the scouting report and then we did a really nice job of executing the way we needed to."Our top 3️⃣ goal scorers each got on the scoreboard this afternoon 🎥👌 pic.twitter.com/cQqhuKWPwq
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) October 17, 2021
The Mountain Hawks came out of the game strong, holding a 5-1 first-quarter edge in shots (4-0 in shots on goal), but couldn't beat the Rider goalkeeper.
Lehigh broke through in the 24th minute on its sixth penalty corner of the half. After the initial goalie save and a defensive stop, senior Drew Pecora put home the rebound.
The 1-0 score stood until just 1:23 into the third quarter, as junior Sarah Bonthuis fired an impressive shot into the far corner from just inside the circle, giving Lehigh a 2-0 lead. Pecora picked up an assist on the play.
The Mountain Hawks' defense impressed throughout, not allowing a shot on goal until the 43:48 mark, which junior goalkeeper Maddie Kahn stopped. Rider held a 3-1 fourth-quarter edge in shots, but graduate student Lenke Havas turned Lehigh's second shot of the half into its second goal. Havas took a feed from senior Olivia Perrone on a corner and buried her 10th of the season.
Final shots were 13-7 in favor of Lehigh while the Mountain Hawks held a 7-1 advantage in penalty corners. Lehigh held Rider to two shots on goal, which was tied for a season low for the Broncs. They entered Sunday averaging a Northeast Conference leading 2.39 goals per game.
"Our defense was really strong and did a nice job with their outleting," said Dallmeyer. "The attack was fired up, trying to get some more shots on goal and hopefully score not just on corners, which is a goal for us. So I was really happy Sarah was able to break out with that goal, which changed momentum for us."
The Mountain Hawks now remain home on Saturday to host rival Lafayette on Senior Night in The Rivalry presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health. Gametime is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
"I think we knew it was going to be a special season, but I didn't know how great it would feel to be able to accomplish the goals we set for ourselves," said Dallmeyer. "We're trying to continue to balance that excitement and pride we're feeling right now and still be focused on the goals we're trying to achieve for the rest of the season.
"I'm proud. It's been a great team, starting from the senior class, who really decided to be the change in the program and then were able to do it. I'm so happy for them that they're able to experience this level of success before they graduate."
Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
We caught up with #10 Liv Perrone following our 10th win of the season this afternoon! pic.twitter.com/eAVaaJi2EA
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) October 17, 2021
Sydney White stood TALL at center in today's shutout vs. Rider and we caught up with her after the victory! pic.twitter.com/OHOkUnJT2d
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) October 17, 2021
Here's what head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer had to say following today's 3-0 shutout win over Rider! pic.twitter.com/jf00gWqYKr
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) October 17, 2021
Team Stats
RID
LEHIGH
Goals
0
3
Shots
7
13
Shots on Goal
2
9
Saves
6
2
Corners
1
7
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
0
Scoring Plays
Pecora, Drew (7)
Rebound off corner.
23:53
Bonthuis, Sarah (9)
Assisted By: Pecora, Drew
Beautiful shot from just inside the circ
31:23
Havas, Lenke (10)
Assisted By: Perrone, Olivia
Pass to center on corner.
56:31
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
5
SOG
4
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M/F
/ Field HockeyD/M
/ Field Hockey
GK
/ Field HockeyM/F
/ Field HockeyM
/ Field Hockey
D
/ Field HockeyField Hockey vs. LIU
Sunday, September 28
Lehigh Sports Central: Field Hockey
Wednesday, September 24
Field Hockey vs. Temple
Sunday, September 14
2025 Lehigh Field Hockey Season Preview
Wednesday, August 27
