Friday, September 17
Bethlehem, Pa.
4 p.m.
Lehigh University
(4-2, 1-0PL)
2
vs
1
Boston University
(2-5, 0-1PL)
1
2
3
4
F
Boston University
0
0
0
1
1
Lehigh
0
1
0
1
2
Photo by: Josh Liddick
Mountain Hawks Open Patriot League Play in Grand Fashion, Beating BU 2-1
9/17/2021 8:18:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh field hockey team improved to 4-0 at home in a big way on Friday, defeating perennial Patriot League power 2-1 in the league opener for both sides. The Mountain Hawks got goals from junior Sarah Bonthuis and fifth-year senior Drew Pecora to take a 2-0 lead before holding off the Terriers down the stretch. Defensively, Lehigh allowed just two first-half shots and only four through three quarters and nine for the game (only five of which were on goal). The win improves Lehigh's record to 4-2 and 1-0 in league play, as the Mountain Hawks improved to 3-0 over their last three Patriot League openers.
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Lehigh has now beaten the Terriers two straight at home, the last coming in the 2019 regular-season finale in overtime. Last season's meeting in the spring was tied at 2-2 deep into the third quarter. Prior to 2019, Boston University was 5-0 in the series, outscoring Lehigh 23-2 over those five contests.
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Lehigh also scored multiple goals for a sixth straight game to begin the season, the first time that's happened since 1975.
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A defensive first half saw just one shot apiece in the first quarter (both on goal) and a slim 2-1 Lehigh edge in second-quarter shots. One of those Mountain Hawk shots was a goal, though, as in the 25th minute, sophomore Lotte Smorenburg found classmate Julia Gatelein on the right side heading into the circle. Gatelein's centering feed found the stick of Bonthuis, who deflected it past Terriers' goalkeeper Caroline Kelly for the 1-0 lead.
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Lehigh held a 5-2 advantage in third-quarter shots, forcing Kelly to make three stops, two of them consecutively in the opening minutes, but neither team found the back of the net.
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The Mountain Hawks doubled their lead at the 52:58 mark. Less than two minutes after Kahn made a save off a penalty corner, Lehigh took advantage of its third and final corner of the game. Like the first goal, Gatelein tallied the assist, as she found Pecora, who put home her fourth of the season.
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Final shots were 11-9 in favor of the Mountain Hawks while the Terriers held a 4-3 edge in penalty corners. Kahn finished with four saves while Kelly had six.
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"[Defensively], we worked on communication a lot," said Dallmeyer. "Sydney [White] did an amazing job of owning the defensive line and working through the switches that needed to happen to keep people marked and keep things under control. We made some adjustments. Maddie being in the back, she has a great big voice and Sydney was able to match that. With the two of them there, that was certainly helpful to keep things controlled."
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As White said, "We knew that BU had some really fast forwards that we were going to have to keep up with. [We focused on] constantly talking to each other, making sure we had our marks and in transition, not getting caught behind."
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The Mountain Hawks hope to keep the momentum going on Sunday as they travel to LIU to face the Sharks at 12 p.m. on NEC Front Row.
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"We worked so well as a team offensively and defensively and that's why we were able to come out with this win," said Pecora.
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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 has now beaten the Terriers two straight at home, the last coming in the 2019 regular-season finale in overtime. Last season's meeting in the spring was tied at 2-2 deep into the third quarter. Prior to 2019, Boston University was 5-0 in the series, outscoring Lehigh 23-2 over those five contests.
"It's huge," said Pecora. "It's always big to beat a team like BU. They're known to be really great and to be able to come out here, play our hardest and get the win is amazing. And especially the first Patriot League game, to come out with a win, [we] couldn't ask for anything more."Roll the highlights from a big-time win over BU to open @patriotleague play 🎥 pic.twitter.com/EBy6khF2J1
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) September 18, 2021
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Lehigh also scored multiple goals for a sixth straight game to begin the season, the first time that's happened since 1975.
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A defensive first half saw just one shot apiece in the first quarter (both on goal) and a slim 2-1 Lehigh edge in second-quarter shots. One of those Mountain Hawk shots was a goal, though, as in the 25th minute, sophomore Lotte Smorenburg found classmate Julia Gatelein on the right side heading into the circle. Gatelein's centering feed found the stick of Bonthuis, who deflected it past Terriers' goalkeeper Caroline Kelly for the 1-0 lead.
"I didn't even seen Sarah," said Lehigh head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer. "I don't know where she came from. I saw the ball going across and then I just saw the end of her touch. She is building confidence every game. She's scoring amazing goals for us. I'm really happy, not surprised, she was able to make that touch. As her confidence grows and grows, we're seeing more and more from her every game."Here's a look at Sarah Bonthuis' team-high fifth goal of the season in today's win! Great feed by Julia Gatelein. pic.twitter.com/nXnu3fhuNc
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) September 17, 2021
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Lehigh held a 5-2 advantage in third-quarter shots, forcing Kelly to make three stops, two of them consecutively in the opening minutes, but neither team found the back of the net.
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The Mountain Hawks doubled their lead at the 52:58 mark. Less than two minutes after Kahn made a save off a penalty corner, Lehigh took advantage of its third and final corner of the game. Like the first goal, Gatelein tallied the assist, as she found Pecora, who put home her fourth of the season.
How about this save from Maddie Kahn to keep Lehigh in front, mere moments before the Mountain Hawks went up 2-0?! pic.twitter.com/BezkCiO7LN
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) September 17, 2021
The Terriers did cut their deficit in half at 55:40 on a direct shot off a corner, but that's as close as they would come. Lehigh did not allow a single shot the rest of the way and wrapped up the 2-1 victory.Here's what proved to be the game-winning goal, by Drew Pecora! pic.twitter.com/1x9LNOKqxS
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) September 17, 2021
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Final shots were 11-9 in favor of the Mountain Hawks while the Terriers held a 4-3 edge in penalty corners. Kahn finished with four saves while Kelly had six.
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"[Defensively], we worked on communication a lot," said Dallmeyer. "Sydney [White] did an amazing job of owning the defensive line and working through the switches that needed to happen to keep people marked and keep things under control. We made some adjustments. Maddie being in the back, she has a great big voice and Sydney was able to match that. With the two of them there, that was certainly helpful to keep things controlled."
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As White said, "We knew that BU had some really fast forwards that we were going to have to keep up with. [We focused on] constantly talking to each other, making sure we had our marks and in transition, not getting caught behind."
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The Mountain Hawks hope to keep the momentum going on Sunday as they travel to LIU to face the Sharks at 12 p.m. on NEC Front Row.
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"We worked so well as a team offensively and defensively and that's why we were able to come out with this win," said Pecora.
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Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Drew Pecora following today's big victory over Boston University! pic.twitter.com/Y11fotSxN1
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) September 17, 2021
Sydney White helped anchor a stellar defensive effort in today's 2-1 win over BU. Here's what she had to say after the game! pic.twitter.com/ffWa0fr6Rp
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) September 17, 2021
Coach Dallmeyer following today's big @PatriotLeague opening victory vs. BU! pic.twitter.com/bXk6Pjcb5d
— Lehigh Field Hockey (@LehighFH) September 17, 2021
Team Stats
BU
LEHIGH
Goals
1
2
Shots
9
11
Shots on Goal
5
8
Saves
6
4
Corners
4
3
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
0
Scoring Plays
Bonthuis, Sarah (5)
Assisted By: Gatelein, Julia
13 sprung 21 in, centered to 20 who put
24:58
Pecora, Drew (4)
Assisted By: Gatelein, Julia
Off corner, #21 made move to 17.
52:58
Anderson, Payton (3)
Assisted By: Thompson, Casey , Janes, Rebecca
Direct shot off corner, beat GK high
55:40
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
2
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M/F
/ Field HockeyM/F
/ Field Hockey
GK
/ Field HockeyM/F
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
D
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