BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women's soccer team pressured the Raiders with 10 second-half shots, but Colgate converted a penalty kick in the 80th minute which proved to be the difference in a tough 1-0 loss on Saturday evening. Junior goalie Ashley Blanks impressed with four saves, including several sensational stops.
 
"The team gave everything we asked, desire, heart and they worked their butt off," said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. "I thought we were going to get a goal at the end. It's disappointing to lose a game like that on a penalty kick, but credit Colgate for finding a way to win. It's a difficult loss to take."
 
With the defeat and Army's win at Lafayette, the Black Knights clinched sixth place and the final Patriot League Tournament berth.
 
"It's athletics. You give everything you've got and sometimes, it doesn't come out," said Lambinus. "It doesn't mean the effort isn't worth it, it doesn't mean everything you do in the offseason isn't worth it. In soccer, you can play well but not get the reward in the end."
 
After the teams combined for only four shots over the first 33 minutes, they fired five over the final 12 minutes of the first half. In the 36th minute, junior Danielle Salans fired a shot that sailed just high over the crossbar before senior Murphee Greeley answered just 32 seconds later with a low shot which was saved by Colgate goalie Brenna Mason.
 
The Raiders' best chance in the first half came in the 43rd minute when Caroline Brawner unleashed a high shot from close range, but Blanks was there to get a piece. It caromed off the cross bar and out of harm's way.
 
Lehigh controlled play for much of the second half, holding a 10-6 shot advantage. The Mountain Hawks continued to get the ball in the box and fire shots, but weren't able to get one on goal until the final minutes.
 
Brawner had a golden opportunity to make it 1-0 in the 68th minute, but Blanks made a great save before being fouled going after the loose ball. The Raiders turned up the pressure and made it 1-0 at 79:20 after being tripped up in the box. Colgate's Jenna Panepinto converted the attempt, just out of the reach of an outstretched Blanks.
 
Lehigh wouldn't go quietly, firing five more shots (two on goal) over the final eight minutes. In the 84th minute, freshman Laura Courtney was in the front of the net, but she couldn't get a shot off before Mason came out strong to pounce on the loose ball. Junior Jordan Goodwin and Courtney added shots on goal in the final minutes, but Mason was there both times to preserve the 1-0 final.
 
Final shots were 15-10 in favor of Lehigh while the Mountain Hawks held a 4-1 edge in corner kicks. Blanks finished with four saves across Mason who made three.
 
The Mountain Hawks wrap up their season next Saturday when they host Holy Cross at 3 p.m. on Senior Day. Lehigh's six seniors will be recognized prior to kickoff for their time in the brown and white.
 
"It's our last game for our seniors so hopefully we can honor them and send them off the right way," said Lambinus.

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