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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women's soccer team opens its 2016 season on Monday night when the Mountain Hawks travel to Monmouth for a 7 p.m. opening kickoff. Lehigh and Monmouth will square off for the first time since an entertaining 2-2 tie last season at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The Mountain Hawks were one of just five teams to either tie or beat Monmouth last year.
 
There will be live stats available for Monday's game. No streaming video will be available.
 
Lehigh lost a strong returning class, but features plenty of returning talent. In total, the team's seven top point getters from a season ago return in 2016. Sophomore Sabrina Mertz led the way with 17 points during her freshman campaign, via seven goals and three assists. Senior Laura Courtney had eight points while junior Lexi Chang tallied six. Spearheading the defense will be Courtney and junior Alyssa Riporti while junior Adrian Vitello is a top returner in the midfield.
 
The Mountain Hawks will feature a new starting goalkeeper following the graduation of Ani Nahapetian. Lehigh's three goalies vying for time are sophomoreLidia Breen and Kylie Ginsberg, along with freshman Sam Miller.
 
Monmouth was the preseason pick to win the MAAC following a stellar 13-3-2 season in 2015. The Hawks' leading scorer Erica Murphy graduated following a 16-goal, three-assist season, but Monmouth returns its next four scorers in Alexis McTamney (22 points: eight goals, six assists), Rachel Ivanicki (21 points: nine goals, three assists), Rachelle Ross (12 points: three goals, six assists) and Julie Spracklin (eight points: one goal, six assists). Goalkeeper Sydney Lavan also returns after starting all 18 games a season ago, posting a 0.94 goals against average and .764 save percentage. Monday will mark the second game for Monmouth in 2016 following a 3-1 loss at Bucknell Friday night. The Hawks' Gabriella Cuevas scored in the 22nd minute, but the Bison scored three second-half goals for the comeback victory.
 
Monmouth leads the all-time series with Lehigh, 9-3-2. Last season's 2-2 tie featured 50 combined shots, including 23 shots on goal as Lehigh took a 1-0 lead deep into the second half before Monmouth responded with two straight goals in a 5:34 span. Courtney converted an 82nd-minute free kick, to help force overtime. Lehigh's last win over Monmouth came in 2009 in double overtime. Monmouth responded by winning the next three before last season's tie.
 
Like Lehigh Women's Soccer on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.

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