Friday, August 18
West Long Branch, N.J.
6:00 PM
Lehigh University
at
Monmouth
Season Preview: Mountain Hawks’ Opening Weekend
8/17/2023 4:08:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women's soccer team opens the 2023 season at 6 p.m. tomorrow versus Monmouth in West Long Branch, N.J. in the first of two road matches this weekend to open the new year.
The Mountain Hawks had a successful 2022 season, finishing 5-2-2 in league play and 8-7-3 overall. The season came to an end after a 2-0 loss to Army in the Patriot League Semifinals. The historic run was Lehigh's first winning season since 2017 when they went 9-5-4 (5-2-2 PL).
The Mountain Hawks return most of last-year's starters, only losing Erin Keefe and Mattie Murphy from the probable starters. Keefe started in 16 games, appearing in 17, while Murphy started in all 18.
Lehigh returns the 2022 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, junior Corinne Lyght, who was also named the Preseason Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. The Scotch Plains, N.J. native led the Mountain Hawks last season with seven goals and one assist, totalling 15 points. Lyght scored four goals in a span of six games, including a brace in the 4-2 win over Loyola on Oct. 15.
Returning for her fifth season, Ryelle Shuey was named the Preseason Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Shuey is a three-time All-Patriot League honoree, earning preseason nods for the first time in her career. Along with anchoring the Lehigh defense, she finished second on the team in goals with a career-high five, including a two-goal effort in the Patriot League quarterfinal win over Navy on Oct. 30.
Seniors Emma Roesing and Imani Ashman join Shuey as captains. The fifth-year earns the honor for the second consecutive season. Lehigh returns the top four scorers in Lyght (7), Shuey (5), senior Ava Schaller (3) and sophomore Sophia Lis (3). The Mountain Hawks also retain their starting goalkeeper, sophomore Maggie Ousouljoglou. She posted a goals-against average of 1.09 and a 0.766 save percentage, earning six shutouts and making 59 total saves.
The reigning Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Regular Season champions, Monmouth was picked to finish first in the CAA Preseason Poll. The Hawks went 13-2-3 overall and 6-1-2 in conference play last season. In the series dating back to 1992, Monmouth holds an 11-4-5 advantage with Lehigh's last win occurring on Aug. 31, 2018 (1-0).
On Sunday, Lehigh continues on the road at Villanova with game time set for 1 p.m. The Wildcats had a 4-8-4 (3-5-2 BIG EAST) record last season. They were ranked ninth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll with 33 points.
Both games will be streamed on FloSports.
The Mountain Hawks' home opener is next Thursday against Saint Joseph's at the Ulrich Sports Complex, with game time set for noon.
The Mountain Hawks had a successful 2022 season, finishing 5-2-2 in league play and 8-7-3 overall. The season came to an end after a 2-0 loss to Army in the Patriot League Semifinals. The historic run was Lehigh's first winning season since 2017 when they went 9-5-4 (5-2-2 PL).
The Mountain Hawks return most of last-year's starters, only losing Erin Keefe and Mattie Murphy from the probable starters. Keefe started in 16 games, appearing in 17, while Murphy started in all 18.
Lehigh returns the 2022 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, junior Corinne Lyght, who was also named the Preseason Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. The Scotch Plains, N.J. native led the Mountain Hawks last season with seven goals and one assist, totalling 15 points. Lyght scored four goals in a span of six games, including a brace in the 4-2 win over Loyola on Oct. 15.
Returning for her fifth season, Ryelle Shuey was named the Preseason Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Shuey is a three-time All-Patriot League honoree, earning preseason nods for the first time in her career. Along with anchoring the Lehigh defense, she finished second on the team in goals with a career-high five, including a two-goal effort in the Patriot League quarterfinal win over Navy on Oct. 30.
Seniors Emma Roesing and Imani Ashman join Shuey as captains. The fifth-year earns the honor for the second consecutive season. Lehigh returns the top four scorers in Lyght (7), Shuey (5), senior Ava Schaller (3) and sophomore Sophia Lis (3). The Mountain Hawks also retain their starting goalkeeper, sophomore Maggie Ousouljoglou. She posted a goals-against average of 1.09 and a 0.766 save percentage, earning six shutouts and making 59 total saves.
The reigning Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Regular Season champions, Monmouth was picked to finish first in the CAA Preseason Poll. The Hawks went 13-2-3 overall and 6-1-2 in conference play last season. In the series dating back to 1992, Monmouth holds an 11-4-5 advantage with Lehigh's last win occurring on Aug. 31, 2018 (1-0).
On Sunday, Lehigh continues on the road at Villanova with game time set for 1 p.m. The Wildcats had a 4-8-4 (3-5-2 BIG EAST) record last season. They were ranked ninth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll with 33 points.
Both games will be streamed on FloSports.
The Mountain Hawks' home opener is next Thursday against Saint Joseph's at the Ulrich Sports Complex, with game time set for noon.
Players Mentioned
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