Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Lehigh Field Hockey Announces Team Awards
5/21/2021 1:14:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a spring, 2021 season which saw plenty of highlight moments, the Lehigh field hockey program has announced the team awards.
Â
The Coaches Award, presented to the player(s) who is selfless in her actions and may go unnoticed by others, went to sophomore Sophie Leighton. Leighton saw action in all five games this season, while also making her presence felt in practice as a consummate team-first individual. She also led Lehigh field hockey's COVID Committee, helping to create and adjust team rules to keep everyone safe. Leighton's organization and attention to detail were critical components to keeping the team healthy.Â
Â
Junior Leah Mullery was named the Unsung Hero for a third consecutive season, an award presented to the player who made a substantive yet unrecognized contribution to the team. Mullery's impact in the midfield wasn't always seen in the box score, as she continued to serve as a glue for the Mountain Hawks' offensive and defensive efforts.
Â
One season after winning the Coaches Award, senior Stephanie Brabender received the Mountain Hawk Award – presented annually to the player whose character, spirit, dedication and leadership best represents the team and program. Brabender's impact on LUFH's culture continued to be substantial in 2021 (as it has for her entire career). She also stepped into the goal cage to start the final game of the season at No. 20 Boston University, making six saves as the Mountain Hawks and Terriers were tied deep into the third quarter.
Â
Anna Piecuch won the Scholar-Athlete Award. The sophomore owns a 3.87 cumulative grade point average in journalism, while making her mark on the program, athletics department and university in countless other ways as well.
Â
Sophomore Cece Slaughter and first-year Erica Steele were both named Most Improved, each showing impressive and substantial gains in 2021. A forward, Slaughter saw significant action in all five contests, firing four shots (one on goal). A defender, Steele saw the most action down the stretch, stepping in during an important time at American – the first significant collegiate action of her career – and doing so with confidence. She then made her first-career start the following weekend at No. 20 Boston University.
Â
Senior Lenke Havas earned her third straight Athlete of the Year award. Lehigh's first-ever four-time All-Patriot League honoree was named to the first team for a third straight season in 2021. Offensively, Havas tied for the team lead in goals (3) and points (6), while she also helped anchor Lehigh's defense – both in the midfield and in the back. Havas helped the Mountain Hawks' defense pitch consecutive shutouts to open the season for the first time since 2000, allowing just four total goals through their first four games.
Â
The Lehigh Field Hockey Appreciation Award went to alum, Dr. Steph Palmieri, who played an integral part in LUFH's mission to better serve the Lehigh Valley community during the pandemic. The 2007 alumnus guided the Mountain Hawks through their relationship with Summerbridge, resulting in the connection of Lehigh field hockey student-athletes with over 30 local middle school students. Palmieri mentored the Mountain Hawks in their own growth and development as they learned how to facilitate small group conversations with great organization and thought. She challenged the student-athletes to see the world through the eyes of eighth graders, helping LUFH better understand the role that patience, compassion and empathy plays in developing meaningful relationships with others.
Â
Lehigh began the spring with wins over Lafayette (1-0) and Bucknell (4-0), the first time since 2004 that the Mountain Hawks beat both the Leopards and Bison. Despite losses in the next three, Lehigh gave itself a chance until the very end vs. Holy Cross, had its smallest margin at American (2-0) since 2001, then despite being shorthanded with personnel, gave itself a chance deep into the second half at a nationally-ranked opponent.
Â
Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Â
The Coaches Award, presented to the player(s) who is selfless in her actions and may go unnoticed by others, went to sophomore Sophie Leighton. Leighton saw action in all five games this season, while also making her presence felt in practice as a consummate team-first individual. She also led Lehigh field hockey's COVID Committee, helping to create and adjust team rules to keep everyone safe. Leighton's organization and attention to detail were critical components to keeping the team healthy.Â
Â
Â
Junior Leah Mullery was named the Unsung Hero for a third consecutive season, an award presented to the player who made a substantive yet unrecognized contribution to the team. Mullery's impact in the midfield wasn't always seen in the box score, as she continued to serve as a glue for the Mountain Hawks' offensive and defensive efforts.
Â
Â
One season after winning the Coaches Award, senior Stephanie Brabender received the Mountain Hawk Award – presented annually to the player whose character, spirit, dedication and leadership best represents the team and program. Brabender's impact on LUFH's culture continued to be substantial in 2021 (as it has for her entire career). She also stepped into the goal cage to start the final game of the season at No. 20 Boston University, making six saves as the Mountain Hawks and Terriers were tied deep into the third quarter.
Â
Â
Anna Piecuch won the Scholar-Athlete Award. The sophomore owns a 3.87 cumulative grade point average in journalism, while making her mark on the program, athletics department and university in countless other ways as well.
Â
Â
Sophomore Cece Slaughter and first-year Erica Steele were both named Most Improved, each showing impressive and substantial gains in 2021. A forward, Slaughter saw significant action in all five contests, firing four shots (one on goal). A defender, Steele saw the most action down the stretch, stepping in during an important time at American – the first significant collegiate action of her career – and doing so with confidence. She then made her first-career start the following weekend at No. 20 Boston University.
Â
Â
Senior Lenke Havas earned her third straight Athlete of the Year award. Lehigh's first-ever four-time All-Patriot League honoree was named to the first team for a third straight season in 2021. Offensively, Havas tied for the team lead in goals (3) and points (6), while she also helped anchor Lehigh's defense – both in the midfield and in the back. Havas helped the Mountain Hawks' defense pitch consecutive shutouts to open the season for the first time since 2000, allowing just four total goals through their first four games.
Â
Â
The Lehigh Field Hockey Appreciation Award went to alum, Dr. Steph Palmieri, who played an integral part in LUFH's mission to better serve the Lehigh Valley community during the pandemic. The 2007 alumnus guided the Mountain Hawks through their relationship with Summerbridge, resulting in the connection of Lehigh field hockey student-athletes with over 30 local middle school students. Palmieri mentored the Mountain Hawks in their own growth and development as they learned how to facilitate small group conversations with great organization and thought. She challenged the student-athletes to see the world through the eyes of eighth graders, helping LUFH better understand the role that patience, compassion and empathy plays in developing meaningful relationships with others.
Â
Â
Lehigh began the spring with wins over Lafayette (1-0) and Bucknell (4-0), the first time since 2004 that the Mountain Hawks beat both the Leopards and Bison. Despite losses in the next three, Lehigh gave itself a chance until the very end vs. Holy Cross, had its smallest margin at American (2-0) since 2001, then despite being shorthanded with personnel, gave itself a chance deep into the second half at a nationally-ranked opponent.
Â
Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Field Hockey
D/M
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
M/F
/ Field Hockey
F/M
/ Field Hockey
M
/ 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
