WEST POINT, N.Y. – One game after scoring early in the second half, the Lehigh women's soccer saw Army West Point return the favor, as a 50th-minute goal proved to be the difference in a 1-0 Black Knights' win over the Mountain Hawks on Saturday evening. A competitive contest saw Army hold a slim 6-4 edge in shots on goal.
 
"I thought we battled hard," said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. "We played a bunch of players. We learned a lot about ourselves. There's a lot of stuff we can take from this game and get better moving forward."
 
Saturday's match came against a Black Knights' team coming off a 2019 Patriot League Championship game appearance and an abbreviated fall, 2020 season.
 
"I was super impressed with Army," said Lambinus. "Army was good, they moved the ball quickly, they were physical and they were quick. It just shows where we need to be. To compete and battle for 90 minutes, and create some chances, was good. I definitely think we can get better and learn from tonight, and it shows we can compete with any team in this league."
 
The Mountain Hawks had the game's first four shots, including the first shot on goal – by junior Rebecca Van Siclen in the 21st minute – and a dangerous chance by senior Mackenzie Anton that sailed just over the crossbar in the 26th minute. Army responded with the final four first-half shots, two of which were saved by senior Miranda Royds, and the teams went into halftime scoreless.
 
Royds couldn't stop a perfectly-placed shot by Lauren Drysdale at the 49:44 mark, however, finding the top left corner of the net for a 1-0 Army lead. Royds went on to make three second-half saves, with the Mountain Hawks firing two shots on goal, both stopped by Sydney Cassalia as the Black Knights wrapped up the 1-0 final.
 
"We got the ball in some pretty good spots, but we didn't take advantage of it or pull the trigger," said Lambinus.
 
Army finished with a 12-6 edge in shots while corner kicks were even at two apiece.
 
"Defensively, we held a really good team down," said Lambinus. "We were super solid, even with some lineup changes in the last minute. In the attacking third, we need a little bit more rhythm and patience. It looked like the first time we played against one of the top teams in the league after not playing in a while. That's the best description of it. Over time, we can build and get better."
 
The Mountain Hawks will remain on the road next Sunday when they travel to Bucknell for a 1 p.m. opening kickoff against the Bison.
 
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