Thursday, November 4
Washington, D.C.
11 a.m.
Lehigh University
at
American (Semifinals)
Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Lehigh Set for Patriot League Semifinals at No. 17 American Thursday
11/3/2021 11:17:00 AM | Field Hockey
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the midst of its best season since 1994, the Lehigh field hockey team is ready for its first postseason appearance in a decade when the Mountain Hawks travel to No. 17 American for the Patriot League Semifinals Thursday. Gametime is set for 11 a.m. on ESPN+. Lehigh enters the postseason with an 11-6 overall record, 4-2 in league play, to finish tied for second place in the standings (and receiving the No. 4 seed). The Mountain Hawks will be searching for their first Patriot League Tournament victory since 1996.
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Lehigh is 2-5-1 all-time in the league tournament, with all victories coming in 1994 and 1996. In 94, Lehigh defeated Holy Cross (2-1) before playing to a scoreless draw against Lafayette and winning in penalty strokes for the program's first and only Patriot League Championship. Two years later, Lehigh topped Bucknell in the semifinals (3-1) before falling to Colgate in the title game. Overall, Lehigh has now lost six straight in the tournament – also in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011. Three of those have come against American (04, 05 and 09).
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This year's Mountain Hawks have rewritten the record book in a number of ways and done things that haven't been done in a long time, if ever. Lehigh's 11 wins mark its most since 1994 when it had 12 during its championship season. The Mountain Hawks have also secured a winning overall record for the first time since 94, while Lehigh's four Patriot League victories are its most since 1996 and second most in program history.
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The Mountain Hawks are 5-0 after losses this season, and will need a strong bounce back from Sunday's regular season finale to beat the 17th ranked Eagles on Thursday. Lehigh was leading Wagner 3-1 in the fourth quarter, but on their Senior Day, the Seahawks rallied to force overtime where they scored just 2:26 into the extra session for the 4-3 final. The Mountain Hawks' goals were scored by fifth-year senior Drew Pecora, and two from junior Sarah Bonthuis. Pecora was named first team All-Patriot League on Tuesday while Bonthuis was named to the second team. Graduate student Lenke Havas garnered Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, and first team All-League (becoming a five-time All-League honoree and four-time first-team member). Senior Leah Mullery also garnered some well-deserved second team All-Patriot League honors.
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American stands 11-3 on the season, finishing 6-0 in league play – riding a six-game winning streak. The Eagles ended the regular season with a 3-0 win at Colgate, preceded by 3-1 victories at Boston University and against Cornell. Thursday's matchup will feature each of the last two Patriot League Goalkeepers of the Year in American's Brynn Underwood (this season) and Lehigh's Maddie Kahn (last spring). Noor Coenen leads American in goals (9), assists (6) and points (24) to earn first team All-League for a fifth time. Behind her is Gaby de Kock, who's tallied five goals and three assists for 13 points. First team All-Patriot League honoree Georgia Davies helps anchor the defense. In goal, Underwood owns a 1.24 goals against average and 80.2 save percentage.
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The Eagles lead the all-time series vs. Lehigh, 24-0. There have been a number of close calls, however. The Mountain Hawks have twice taken American to overtime – in 2006 and 2015. There have been multiple two-goal margins too, including the last two meetings. Last spring at American, the Eagles used two second-quarter goals to win, 2-0, in Lehigh's second closest meeting on the road in the all-time series and closest since 1991.
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If the Mountain Hawks win on Thursday, they would advance to their first Patriot League Championship Game since 1996 and face the winner of second-seeded Lafayette and third-seeded Bucknell on Saturday at 12 p.m. on ESPN+.
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Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Lehigh is 2-5-1 all-time in the league tournament, with all victories coming in 1994 and 1996. In 94, Lehigh defeated Holy Cross (2-1) before playing to a scoreless draw against Lafayette and winning in penalty strokes for the program's first and only Patriot League Championship. Two years later, Lehigh topped Bucknell in the semifinals (3-1) before falling to Colgate in the title game. Overall, Lehigh has now lost six straight in the tournament – also in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011. Three of those have come against American (04, 05 and 09).
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This year's Mountain Hawks have rewritten the record book in a number of ways and done things that haven't been done in a long time, if ever. Lehigh's 11 wins mark its most since 1994 when it had 12 during its championship season. The Mountain Hawks have also secured a winning overall record for the first time since 94, while Lehigh's four Patriot League victories are its most since 1996 and second most in program history.
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The Mountain Hawks are 5-0 after losses this season, and will need a strong bounce back from Sunday's regular season finale to beat the 17th ranked Eagles on Thursday. Lehigh was leading Wagner 3-1 in the fourth quarter, but on their Senior Day, the Seahawks rallied to force overtime where they scored just 2:26 into the extra session for the 4-3 final. The Mountain Hawks' goals were scored by fifth-year senior Drew Pecora, and two from junior Sarah Bonthuis. Pecora was named first team All-Patriot League on Tuesday while Bonthuis was named to the second team. Graduate student Lenke Havas garnered Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, and first team All-League (becoming a five-time All-League honoree and four-time first-team member). Senior Leah Mullery also garnered some well-deserved second team All-Patriot League honors.
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American stands 11-3 on the season, finishing 6-0 in league play – riding a six-game winning streak. The Eagles ended the regular season with a 3-0 win at Colgate, preceded by 3-1 victories at Boston University and against Cornell. Thursday's matchup will feature each of the last two Patriot League Goalkeepers of the Year in American's Brynn Underwood (this season) and Lehigh's Maddie Kahn (last spring). Noor Coenen leads American in goals (9), assists (6) and points (24) to earn first team All-League for a fifth time. Behind her is Gaby de Kock, who's tallied five goals and three assists for 13 points. First team All-Patriot League honoree Georgia Davies helps anchor the defense. In goal, Underwood owns a 1.24 goals against average and 80.2 save percentage.
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The Eagles lead the all-time series vs. Lehigh, 24-0. There have been a number of close calls, however. The Mountain Hawks have twice taken American to overtime – in 2006 and 2015. There have been multiple two-goal margins too, including the last two meetings. Last spring at American, the Eagles used two second-quarter goals to win, 2-0, in Lehigh's second closest meeting on the road in the all-time series and closest since 1991.
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If the Mountain Hawks win on Thursday, they would advance to their first Patriot League Championship Game since 1996 and face the winner of second-seeded Lafayette and third-seeded Bucknell on Saturday at 12 p.m. on ESPN+.
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Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Players Mentioned
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D/M
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GK
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