Lehigh University Athletics
Season Preview: Small But Mighty Mountain Hawks To Begin Season Monday
3/5/2021 11:19:00 AM | Women's Golf
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women's golf team is set to embark on a spring season that currently features six tune-up events and will conclude when the Mountain Hawks host the Patriot League Championship, April 24-25 on the Grace Course at Saucon Valley Country Club.
Fourth-year head coach Mary Kate Lynch begins her season with five available players as her team will open the season on Monday with its first competitive round in nearly a full year.
"It's a small but mighty group this year," Lynch said. "They are all excited to compete again and have been working hard to prepare. They have put in extra time outside of practice and are willing to do whatever they need to do to make this season as successful as possible."
The Mountain Hawks will be led by senior Angela Ding, a 2019 second team All-Patriot League performer, who finished third in the 2019 Lehigh Invitational and was named Patriot League Golfer of the Week for her efforts.
"Angela's leadership and experience will be huge this spring," Lynch said. "Even with our schedule being different than usual, she is still positive and grateful for any opportunity to compete again for her senior year. She's been through highs and lows in her career and is able to help the younger players when going through these moments. She has always played well at the Patriot League Championship and this year having it at Saucon I know will make it even more special."
Three sophomores return for the Mountain Hawks. Hannah Foster played all 15 competitive rounds during the shortened 2019-20 campaign and led Lehigh in the Battle at Boulder Creek in February 2020. Iris Shin played 11 competitive rounds last season while Mendez played in 10.
"The sophomores have gained a lot of perspective over the last year and also have grown as leaders," Lynch said. "I am excited to see them continue the great play that they started last year."
The lone active newcomer is Sophie Holland from Cornelius, N.C.
"Sophie is an incredibly talented player," Lynch said. "She is excited to start her college career and contribute to the team. It's been challenge for her as she was quarantined most of February through no fault of her own and hasn't gotten to practice as much as she'd like. But I know even without being able to practice her talent will still shine through this spring."
The 2021 spring campaign will begin Monday at the Monmouth Hawk Spring Series at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood, N.J. Lehigh will also play in Monmouth's second spring event on March 29.
Other events include the Knights Shootout, hosted by Fairleigh Dickinson and a home-and-home dual match series with Bucknell March 20-21. Lehigh will host the Bison on Saturday March 20 at the Steel Club in Hellertown, Pa. The final currently scheduled regular season event is a dual match at La Salle on April 5.
The Patriot League Championship returns to Saucon Valley Country Club April 24-25. Lehigh last hosted in 2017. The Mountain Hawks finished fourth at the last Patriot League Championship, in 2019 in Richmond, Va. Reagan Jahn '19 finished in eighth place while Ding tied for ninth.
"The schedule is unique," Lynch noted. "It will be very different for us to play competitions without a practice round and limited course knowledge. It is going to be a mental challenge for us but we need to focus on the fact that each event will be preparing us for PLCs. Patriots will be the only multi-day event this season. We are so excited to host at Saucon Valley and taking advantage of our home course knowledge."
The 2021 Spring Schedule remains subject to change.
Fourth-year head coach Mary Kate Lynch begins her season with five available players as her team will open the season on Monday with its first competitive round in nearly a full year.
"It's a small but mighty group this year," Lynch said. "They are all excited to compete again and have been working hard to prepare. They have put in extra time outside of practice and are willing to do whatever they need to do to make this season as successful as possible."
The Mountain Hawks will be led by senior Angela Ding, a 2019 second team All-Patriot League performer, who finished third in the 2019 Lehigh Invitational and was named Patriot League Golfer of the Week for her efforts.
"Angela's leadership and experience will be huge this spring," Lynch said. "Even with our schedule being different than usual, she is still positive and grateful for any opportunity to compete again for her senior year. She's been through highs and lows in her career and is able to help the younger players when going through these moments. She has always played well at the Patriot League Championship and this year having it at Saucon I know will make it even more special."
Three sophomores return for the Mountain Hawks. Hannah Foster played all 15 competitive rounds during the shortened 2019-20 campaign and led Lehigh in the Battle at Boulder Creek in February 2020. Iris Shin played 11 competitive rounds last season while Mendez played in 10.
"The sophomores have gained a lot of perspective over the last year and also have grown as leaders," Lynch said. "I am excited to see them continue the great play that they started last year."
The lone active newcomer is Sophie Holland from Cornelius, N.C.
"Sophie is an incredibly talented player," Lynch said. "She is excited to start her college career and contribute to the team. It's been challenge for her as she was quarantined most of February through no fault of her own and hasn't gotten to practice as much as she'd like. But I know even without being able to practice her talent will still shine through this spring."
The 2021 spring campaign will begin Monday at the Monmouth Hawk Spring Series at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood, N.J. Lehigh will also play in Monmouth's second spring event on March 29.
Other events include the Knights Shootout, hosted by Fairleigh Dickinson and a home-and-home dual match series with Bucknell March 20-21. Lehigh will host the Bison on Saturday March 20 at the Steel Club in Hellertown, Pa. The final currently scheduled regular season event is a dual match at La Salle on April 5.
The Patriot League Championship returns to Saucon Valley Country Club April 24-25. Lehigh last hosted in 2017. The Mountain Hawks finished fourth at the last Patriot League Championship, in 2019 in Richmond, Va. Reagan Jahn '19 finished in eighth place while Ding tied for ninth.
"The schedule is unique," Lynch noted. "It will be very different for us to play competitions without a practice round and limited course knowledge. It is going to be a mental challenge for us but we need to focus on the fact that each event will be preparing us for PLCs. Patriots will be the only multi-day event this season. We are so excited to host at Saucon Valley and taking advantage of our home course knowledge."
The 2021 Spring Schedule remains subject to change.
Players Mentioned
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