BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh head women's soccer coach Eric Lambinus announced the Mountain Hawks' complete incoming class of 2021 on Thursday, which features seven student-athletes, six of which are from Pennsylvania or New Jersey.
 
"Our coaching staff is very excited to welcome seven student-athletes to the women's soccer program at Lehigh," said Lambinus. "Each one of them will bring their own set of skills and were specifically chosen to contribute these traits to improve our team. That being said, the one trait that they all had in common was that Lehigh is the perfect fit for them to continue their development as students, soccer players and young ladies. As soccer players, the class of 2021 will add considerable talent and depth to our strong group of returning players."
 
Lehigh will return a lot of talent in 2017, including 10 of its 11 leading scorers from a team that began the season with a school-record eight-game unbeaten streak and captured the No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament. All-Patriot League goalkeeper Sam Miller also return following a stellar freshman season.
 
"As we proceeded through the recruiting process and got to know them, besides their obvious soccer ability and commitment to academic achievement, it was very apparent that they are all really good people who cared deeply about their family, coaches, teachers and most importantly, teammates," said Lambinus. "That is a cornerstone of our program and we feel they will make an immediate contribution to our team culture."
 
Elizabeth "Libby" Andrews - D - Phoenixville, Pa. - Arts and Sciences
From Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Andrews was a four-year captain for Continental FC, and was captain her senior year at Spring-Ford Senior High School. In her senior year she was named to the PAC All-Conference first team, Liberty Division first team and All-Area first team. Andrews helped her team win PAC Championships in 2013, 2015, and 2016.
 
Why Lehigh?
"I chose Lehigh because it's a perfect blend of high academics and competitive women's soccer. The campus feels like home."  
 
Coach Lambinus on Andrews: "Libby has a great family connection to Lehigh, but more importantly, fits all the criteria of a central defender in our program. She is strong, has a physical presence, understands the position and is a great passer of the ball. I love that Libby is a great kid off the field, yet cherishes the role of the tough, aggressive role of defender on the field."
 
Mackenzie Anton - D - Reading, Pa. - Arts and Sciences
Anton attended Exeter Township High School where she was Varsity Player of the Year her senior season. She was a three-time All-Berks County honoree and earned Golden Eagle Honor Roll all four years of high school. Anton was captain of her high school team her junior and senior years, and captain for her U16 and U17 club team, Continental FC Delco.
 
Why Lehigh?
"I chose Lehigh because it felt like home to me. Lehigh has both a very competitive soccer team, along with being one of the top academic programs in the country. It is a perfect combination of both a soccer and an academic school, along with an awesome coaching staff. I believe it's place where I can be very successful for the next four years."
 
Coach Lambinus on Anton: "Mackenzie is a player we've had our eye on for quite a while in the process. She played up a year for most of her club career and always looked like an impact player, even with the older players, many of whom have already impacted teams we compete against. Considering she has recovered very well from an injury in her junior year and returned to playing at high level, it gives me confidence she will fit in well with our team. She is a pretty versatile player who can play several positions in the back and midfield."  
 
Grace Forsyth - F - Fair Haven, N.J. - Arts and Science
Forsyth comes to Lehigh from Fair Haven, New Jersey and PDA Impact, who were two-time regional finalists. A four-year varsity starter at Rumson-Fair Haven High School, she scored 49 career goals, was a two-time leading goal scorer and captain her senior year. Forsyth attended the Academy of Allied Health and Science, a specialized career academy focused on medical sciences, while also interning at a local hospital during her senior year.
 
Why Lehigh? 
"I chose Lehigh University because it had the perfect combination of prestigious academics and a competitive Division I soccer program. When I visited, I immediately felt right at home on the beautiful campus and with all of the amazing girls on the team. I am so excited to spend the next four years as a Mountain Hawk."
 
Coach Lambinus on Forsyth: "Grace is a hardworking, strong, active forward who has a nose for scoring goals.  Every time we saw her play in the recruiting process, she scored a goal and/or created several chances from all over the field. I think her production will translate to the college game because of the way she plays, and could provide an immediate spark to our attack."  
 
Ally Friedman - D - Basking Ridge, N.J. - Arts and Sciences
Friedman attended Ridge High School, where she helped her team win consecutive championships while earning a spot on the the honor roll all four years. During her senior year, Friedman received numerous awards, one being the 2016 MSG first team All-Metro. She was also recognized as NJGSCA All-State and "Top 20" Region player. Friedman played for Match-Fit Academy, which was ranked fifth in the nation for ECNL.
 
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because it has the perfect balance between challenging academics and competitive athletics. I also have never heard of someone who went to Lehigh and didn't love it."
 
Coach Lambinus on Friedman: "Ally is exactly the type of player we look to attract to Lehigh, and more specifically, has all the tools we look in for in an outside back. She is a good 1v1 defende,r but really excels getting forward in the attack.  Ally is great on the dribble and will be a threat whenever she has the ball at her feet.  She really fits the profile of a modern-day outside back."
 
Lisa Kestelboym - M - Fair Lawn, N.J. - Arts and Sciences
Kestelboym comes to Lehigh from Fair Lawn, New Jersey and the club program World Class FC. Beginning freshman year, Kestelboym was a starting center midfielder and earned first team All-League all four years, along with first team All-League for winter and spring track. As a senior, Kestelboym was captain of her team at Fair Lawn High School, finishing her career with 51 goals and 29 assists. In the classroom, Kestelboym was a four-time scholar athlete.
 
Why Lehigh? "The beautiful campus and extremely welcoming team only solidified my decision for the combination of a competitive DI soccer program and a top-notch education."
 
Coach Lambinus on Kestelboym: "What immediately stands out about Lisa is her soccer knowledge, and after talking to her in person, you understand why because it's clear she loves the game of soccer. She is a cerebral player who reads the game well and has all the technical tools to be quality midfield player for our team. She makes the game look simple when she plays."
 
Miranda Royds - GK - Ambler, Pa. - Engineering
Royds joins the Mountain Hawks from Ambler, Pennsylvania, where she was a two- year captain for Hatboro-Horsham High School, captain of FC Europa Hotspurs and captain of her track and field team. The goalkeeper was a two-time Suburban One All League and a four- year varsity starter, for both soccer and track. Aside from her soccer leadership skills, Royds was Student Body Vice President her junior year and Student Body President the year following.
 
Why Lehigh? 
"Lehigh offers an education that falls second to none, as well as the chance to play the sport I love at a highly competitive level. Not only will I be challenged here at Lehigh, but I will also be prepared for success in the future. Aside from that, Lehigh is beautiful and holds a friendly atmosphere where I felt at home the minute I stepped foot on campus."
 
Coach Lambinus on Royds: "I have yet to meet a single person who has worked with Miranda who doesn't absolutely love her. That is a tremendous quality to bring to our program. As a player, she has all the technical ability and physical tools to be one of the top goalkeepers in our league. She will definitely increase the competitive environment of the position while still building strong relationships amongst the group."
 
Chloe Tremblay - M - Brentwood, Tenn. - Arts and Sciences
From Brentwood, Tennessee, Tremblay is the only member in her class not from Pennsylvania or New Jersey. She attended Battle Ground Academy (BGA), where she was captain her junior and senior year. Tremblay finished her career by earning recognition from BGA's point club, with a total of 213 points (77 goals and 59 assists). She was one of three players in school history who have received that recognition. Chloe was a four-time All-District, All-Region award winner.
 
Why Lehigh?
"Lehigh offers its students-athletes the perfect balance between a great education and a competitive environment in which to thrive. I felt at home the minute I walked on campus, and the camaraderie on the team as well as the coaching staff's philosophy confirmed Lehigh as the right fit for me. I could not be prouder to be a Mountain Hawk for the next four years."
 
Coach Lambinus on Tremblay: "From the first moment I saw Chloe play, I knew she was a LUWS player. She has a great combination of creative attacking skills mixed with a physical style of play. She sees the game at a high level and has the ability to execute with either foot in the attacking third. I love her confidence with the ball and Chloe should be able to score goals at the college level."
 

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