Lehigh University Athletics
Wednesday, October 27
Bethlehem, Pa.
6 p.m.
Lehigh University
6-9-1, 4-4-1PL
0
vs
1
Bucknell
8-7-3, 5-2-2PL
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucknell | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Lehigh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Mountain Hawks Fall to Bucknell in Regular Season Finale; Set to Rematch in PLT Sunday
10/27/2021 10:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Despite a season-high 12 shots on goal, a number of which were spectacular scoring chances, the Lehigh women's soccer team fell to visiting Bucknell Wednesday evening at the Ulrich Sports Complex, 1-0 in overtime. Those 12 shots on goal were the Mountain Hawks' most since tallying 15 against Lafayette in October of 2018, but Bucknell goalkeeper Jenna Hall stopped them all. Lehigh finishes 4-4-1 in league play, earning the No. 5 seed in the Patriot League Tournament, and will rematch with the fourth-seeded Bison in Sunday's quarterfinal round. That game will be played at Bucknell and kick off at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
"We knew they were going to be a little bit direct and were going to try and play the ball in behind, so I thought our back line did a great job keeping [Bucknell] in front of them," said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. "We gave up a couple too many corner kicks, which is what they scored on."
Bucknell scored the game's only goal 1:59 into overtime. Not long after junior Julianna Bonner fired a shot on target, the Bison responded with their eighth corner kick of the game. After the initial corner was defended well by the Mountain Hawks, the ball found the foot of Kenar Gelman, whose cross to the far post was finished by Rylee Donaldson to give Bucknell the victory.
"We have to defend through the second ball on free kicks," said Lambinus. "On their goal, we defended the first one, but we didn't defend the second. That's been a weakness of ours throughout the season, so it's something we can definitely work on."
The first half saw Lehigh hold a 12-8 edge in shots (and 6-2 advantage in shots on goal), but both goalkeepers stood tall.
The quality of chances increased in the second half. In the 53rd minute, freshman Corinne Lyght fired a hard shot from outside the box, which Hall leaped to save. Hall also stopped senior Courtney Supp's rebound opportunity from point-blank range.
"Both teams have typically been a little bit more open and have scored more goals," said Lambinus. "I thought we created enough chances to probably score two or three goals, and Abby made a big save as well.
"When we got the ball in the final third, I thought we could have slotted a couple more balls," Lambinus continued. "I thought our services could have been better, just to give ourselves one better chance. It's almost like we settled for some shots, instead of trying to create better ones. But at the end of the day, we probably had eight good, quality chances where you've got to think one will go in."
The Mountain Hawks will now look ahead to the Patriot League Tournament and a Sunday rematch with Bucknell in Lewisburg. The last time Lehigh was in the postseason, it was also the No. 5 seed and picked up a thrilling 2-1 win at Bucknell in the quarterfinals, in a game that went down to the final seconds.
Like Lehigh Women's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
"We knew they were going to be a little bit direct and were going to try and play the ball in behind, so I thought our back line did a great job keeping [Bucknell] in front of them," said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. "We gave up a couple too many corner kicks, which is what they scored on."
Bucknell scored the game's only goal 1:59 into overtime. Not long after junior Julianna Bonner fired a shot on target, the Bison responded with their eighth corner kick of the game. After the initial corner was defended well by the Mountain Hawks, the ball found the foot of Kenar Gelman, whose cross to the far post was finished by Rylee Donaldson to give Bucknell the victory.
"We have to defend through the second ball on free kicks," said Lambinus. "On their goal, we defended the first one, but we didn't defend the second. That's been a weakness of ours throughout the season, so it's something we can definitely work on."
The first half saw Lehigh hold a 12-8 edge in shots (and 6-2 advantage in shots on goal), but both goalkeepers stood tall.
The quality of chances increased in the second half. In the 53rd minute, freshman Corinne Lyght fired a hard shot from outside the box, which Hall leaped to save. Hall also stopped senior Courtney Supp's rebound opportunity from point-blank range.
Bucknell responded with a strong chance in the 59th minute off a free kick, but freshman Abby Trainor made a strong stop to force a corner kick.What a series of chances early in the second half! First from Lyght on a hard shot from distance, then Supp on the rebound, but the Bucknell keeper with some strong saves.
— Lehigh W. Soccer (@LehighWSoccer) October 27, 2021
Watch: https://t.co/KQkuL6LUWF pic.twitter.com/btawEGeKIn
In the 63rd minute, Lyght found Bonner on the left side, who fired a hard shot towards the left post, but Hall sprawled to make the save and force a corner.Great save here by Abby Trainor as the Mountain Hawks and Bison remain scoreless in the second half. @jpsmollins
— Lehigh W. Soccer (@LehighWSoccer) October 27, 2021
Watch: https://t.co/KQkuL6LUWF pic.twitter.com/yTUuNbp5m0
Lehigh posted another strong chance in the 87th minute as part of five consecutive shots to end regulation. This one came off the foot of Lyght. In total, the Mountain Hawks recorded eight of the final 12 shots of regulation.Another GREAT chance for the Mountain Hawks, but the Bucknell keeper made a strong save on this Bonner chance.
— Lehigh W. Soccer (@LehighWSoccer) October 27, 2021
Watch: https://t.co/KQkuL6LUWF pic.twitter.com/USErAzeuc9
Final shots were 25-17 in favor of Lehigh while the Bison held an 8-5 edge in corner kicks. Trainor finished with four saves for the Mountain Hawks.Late in regulation, Corinne Lyght nearly put the Mountain Hawks in front on this hard shot.
— Lehigh W. Soccer (@LehighWSoccer) October 27, 2021
Watch: https://t.co/KQkuL6LUWF pic.twitter.com/kzcseL3ZMF
"Both teams have typically been a little bit more open and have scored more goals," said Lambinus. "I thought we created enough chances to probably score two or three goals, and Abby made a big save as well.
"When we got the ball in the final third, I thought we could have slotted a couple more balls," Lambinus continued. "I thought our services could have been better, just to give ourselves one better chance. It's almost like we settled for some shots, instead of trying to create better ones. But at the end of the day, we probably had eight good, quality chances where you've got to think one will go in."
The Mountain Hawks will now look ahead to the Patriot League Tournament and a Sunday rematch with Bucknell in Lewisburg. The last time Lehigh was in the postseason, it was also the No. 5 seed and picked up a thrilling 2-1 win at Bucknell in the quarterfinals, in a game that went down to the final seconds.
Like Lehigh Women's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
BUCKNELL
LEHIGH
Goals
1
0
Shots
17
25
Shots on Goal
5
12
Saves
12
4
Corners
8
5
Fouls
8
8
Scoring Plays
Donaldson, Rylee
Assisted By: Gelman, Kenar
#5 made long cross to #13, who headed in
91:59
Game Leaders
Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F/M
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
F/M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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