Lehigh opens season vs. Monmouth Friday

August 17, 2017

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Coming off an impressive 2016 campaign, the Lehigh women’s soccer team opens the 2017-18 Lehigh Athletics year on Friday when it hosts Monmouth. Opening kickoff at the Ulrich Sports Complex is set for 6 p.m. on the Patriot League Network. Lehigh and Monmouth have tied each of its last two meetings featuring competitive games between two strong programs.

Last season, the Mountain Hawks and Hawks opened the season with a scoreless draw. Lehigh went on to 11 wins and a third-place finish in the Patriot League, its most wins and best finish since its 2010 Patriot League Championship campaign. Meanwhile, Monmouth won the MAAC Championship, posting a 14-5-2 record.

In last season’s meeting, Monmouth held a 28-4 edge in shots, but Lehigh put three of its four shots on goal. Sam Miller pitched an eight-save shutout in her first-career game, the beginning of eight straight shutouts to begin the season (and her career). Monmouth held an 11-2 edge in corner kicks. Two years ago, Lehigh and Monmouth played to a 2-2 draw at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Current junior Sabrina Mertz scored the game’s first goal, Monmouth scored two goals in the span of 5:34 late in the second half, but Laura Courtney’s free kick goal evened the score in the 82nd minute.

The Mountain Hawks lost a talented senior class to graduation, including their leading scorer Tori Pantaleo, but they return 10 of their top 11 scorers from a season ago. Lehigh’s three returning All-League honorees from last season were also named preseason All-Patriot League earlier this week: Alyssa Riporti, Adrian Vitello and Sam Miller. The Mountain Hawks were predicted fifth in the preseason poll. Lehigh will be searching for back-to-back Patriot League Tournament appearances for the first time since 2005 and 2006.

Monmouth’s top two scorers from a season ago return in 2017 as Madie Gibson recorded 33 points (12 goals, nine assists) and Rachelle Ross had 25 (10 goals, five assists). Goalkeeper Amanda Knaub played all games, tallying a 0.69 goals against average and 0.782 save percentage.

After ties in each of the last two seasons, Monmouth leads the all-time series, 9-3-3. Lehigh’s last win came on Sept. 20, 2009, winning 2-1 in double overtime on the road. The last Lehigh win at home came on Sept. 15, 2006 by a 1-0 final.

Following Friday’s game, Lehigh will return to action next weekend when it heads to Penn on Friday, Aug. 25 (8 p.m.) and Temple on Sunday (6 p.m.).

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