BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women's soccer senior class has played an integral role in the Mountain Hawks' recent success, highlighted by qualifying for their second straight Patriot League Tournament as the program continues to reach new heights. This class features players from all over the field and people who have impacted the program in countless ways. Among the many honors from this class include being named All-Patriot League, All-Region, Academic All-League, earning a spot on the Dean's List, posting a perfect 4.0 semester and being named a candidate for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award. Between tremendous play on the field, leadership on and off the field, success in the classroom and more, this class represents what you want in a Lehigh student-athlete. This group has tallied an average GPA of 3.33 and will leave a lasting legacy, which will be felt for years to come.
 
With Senior Day on Saturday, Lehighsports.com caught up with the six seniors as they reflect on their careers in the Brown and White.
 
#2 Alyssa Riporti – Defender – Scotch Plains, N.J. – Marketing and HR Management
Riporti is an anchor of the Mountain Hawks' defense which leads the Patriot League in defense this season, allowing just 0.69 goals per game, one year after finishing second in allowing just 0.67 per contest. Riporti has started every game since the beginning of her sophomore season, scoring her first-career goal on Aug. 30 at Binghamton, which proved to be the game-winner. As a junior, Riporti was named first team All-Patriot League and NSCAA third team All-Mid-Atlantic Region, leading a defense which began the season with eight straight shutouts. Earlier this year, Riporti was named a candidate for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award and was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week in late August. Even more than her on-field stats and accomplishments, Riporti has been a strong leader for the women's soccer program and all of Lehigh Athletics. Strong in the classroom, she owns more than a 3.2 cumulative GPA as a Marketing major. Riporti has been named to the Dean's List for a semester GPA over 3.6 and has been named to the Faculty Athletics Council Award as well. At the end of last school year, Riporti received the Contribution to Student Life University Award.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point?
AR: There have been too many amazing memories to just choose one. I am someone who truly loves the daily grind of practices and games and genuinely loves playing. I have tons of memories with so many wonderful people on the team as well as others that have been through the program, including last year's seniors. The passion of the people I was able to share each experience with has made all the difference. Breaking the LUWS shutout streak was a very exciting moment last season that I regularly reflect on. Other memories that stick out include our spring break trip to France and our first Patriot League Tournament berth.  
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AR: My relationship with my fellow seniors is what I value most. These five girls have become sisters to me. They have truly made my experience unforgettable and have challenged me to be a better person. I always joke that we would never have been friends if it weren't for soccer because we are all so different. I've never had a group of friends so genuinely supportive and happy for one another's success. That speaks to the dynamic of our friend group; we all bring different things. Adrian has determination like no one I have met. Amanda is intelligent, always has it together and is poised. Becca brings laughter, fun and a positive outlook to everything she does. Grace brings out my sensitive side and is empathetic and understanding. And then, there is Lexi, who might be even be more competitive than I am. I will miss spending every single second together, but I know we will share our next chapter together no matter where life takes us.
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind?
AR: This moment is bittersweet. My entire life, I have tied my identity to soccer and it is going to be an adjustment breaking away from that. I don't think it has completely hit me yet. Honestly though, going into Senior Day, I am not thinking about the end of my career, but the start of our run in the Patriot League Tournament.
 
What will you miss about Lehigh women's soccer?
AR: I will miss being around the team every single day. The fun sideline comments, inside jokes, dances in the locker room, silly team competitions… it really is the little things. This team has become a second family for me, so the comfort and trust is truly amazing. What I love about Lehigh is the camaraderie and strong alumni connection, and I absolutely look forward to staying connected to the program in multiple ways.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
AR: I hope that my legacy is my passion and reliability. I want to be remembered as someone who helped create a strong culture and strong relationships, on and off the field.
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
AR: I am currently exploring various opportunities, including pursuing a career in consulting or sales, attending graduate school and even continuing my soccer career. At this time, I have an outstanding offer from Uline in Manhattan where I interned in sales. I really need to take some time to focus on my next step when the season ends.
 
#13 Amanda Stratton – Defender – Dublin, Ohio – Bioengineering
A strong all-around student-athlete, Stratton won the team's Scholar-Athlete Award following her sophomore and junior campaigns while being named to the Academic All-Patriot League team following her junior season. On the field, Stratton played in 15 games with 13 starts as a freshman, recording her first-career point (an assist) in a win at archrival Lafayette. She added two assists as a sophomore in 18 games (17 starts) while playing in all 18 games as a junior. This season, Stratton has been a staple at center back, starting all 14 games and recording a goal and assist. Her first-career goal came at Delaware while she assisted on Lehigh's first goal at St. John's. Meanwhile, she has continued to anchor a Mountain Hawks' defense that leads the Patriot League in allowing just 0.69 goals per game, posting eight shutouts this season and allowing one goal or fewer in 13-of-16 games. In the classroom, Stratton owns a stellar 3.83 cumulative GPA in Bioengineering and has earned a spot on the Dean's List every semester. She also tallied a perfect 4.0 semester last fall.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point?
AS: I think my favorite memory thus far was during last year's win against Bucknell. It was such an intense game and our team played so well. It was so much fun to win in that fashion, and I know that game meant a lot to the senior class last year.

Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AS: My fellow seniors are truly my best friends. We have had ups and downs over our four years, but through it all, we have had each other. I know that I can rely on any one of them whenever I need. Each of our personalities brings a balance to our friendship that makes it so strong. I am so lucky that I have had the opportunity to play with each one of them for four years, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. I am so grateful to soccer for bringing us all together as I have gained five best friends that will be there for the rest of my life.
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind?
AS: It is definitely a sad time thinking about the last games we have in front of us as members of Lehigh Women's Soccer. It's hard to think that I won't be playing next year, but I also am looking back on my journey and reflecting about how much I have grown and changed, as a player and person. I have enjoyed every minute wearing brown and white. I am very proud of my career at Lehigh and I hope that I have made an impact on those around me. I know that our team will continue to be successful and I'm so excited to see how they continue to grow after we are gone. It's a sad time with a lot of mixed emotions as we near the end, but I'm looking forward to just enjoying the moment on Senior Day and for the rest of our season.
 
What will you miss about Lehigh women's soccer?
AS: What I will miss most are my teammates and being able to play with them every day. Playing soccer for Lehigh has taught me so many things and has provided me with many opportunities, but the best part has been the people. My teammates and the coaching staff have helped me grow as a person, and I would not be where I am today without them. Every single girl on this team is so important to me and I will miss seeing them at practice every day. Soccer is such an amazing sport in the way that it brings people together and creates lasting friendships. I am so grateful to Lehigh for allowing me to be a part of this amazing group that truly feels like a family.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
AS: I hope that my legacy at Lehigh reflects the importance of balance, composure and confidence. I have learned a lot throughout my four years, but these three attributes are what have truly made me successful and reflect who I am as a player. Learning how to create a harmonic balance between soccer and classes, staying level-headed when faced with adversity and having confidence in your ability to play are so important in contributing to your success as a player and person. Even after I leave the program, I want my teammates to know that if you believe in yourself and what you bring to the table, you can accomplish so much.
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
AS: After graduation, I am planning to continue my education. I would like to either pursue my master's degree in Bioengineering or apply to medical schools. I want a career in which I can help others and make a difference, and I believe that either of these two paths will lead me to my goal. 

#14 Becca Sherry – Forward – West Chester, Pa. – Biology 
An injury during her junior year has cut Sherry's career short, but the West Chester, Pa.'s impact continues to be felt as a student assistant. Sherry made her impact on the field over her first three seasons, posting six points behind two goals and two assists in 26 games (three starts). She scored her first-career goal in the 2015 season opener vs. Mount St. Mary's then added a goal and assist as a junior - scoring vs. LIU Brooklyn and dishing assists vs. Marist and at Mount St. Mary's. In the classroom, Sherry has been named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and has earned the Faculty Athletics Council Award in her career.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point?
BS: My favorite Lehigh Women's Soccer memory was our team trip to France. This experience was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the culture and play the game we all love. Bonding with the team and being with my best friends experiencing this new place was something I will remember for the rest of my life.
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
BS: The value of my friendships with my fellow classmates is something I cannot even put into words. Our bonds are so strong and we've been through so much together over the past four years. These are the people that made Lehigh so special to me and my college experience would not have been the same without them. Individually, we are all very different but together, we create the perfect balance. Being a member of this class has helped me grow over the past four years and I am so lucky for my relationships with every other senior in my class. 
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind?
BS: It is a little bittersweet knowing the end is near as soccer has been a major aspect of my life for so long, but I have a positive mindset knowing this is not our final game. I am trying to enjoy the moments we do have left and knowing we can continue our season in the postseason is very exciting. The team this year feels special, and that's the one thing that makes me a little emotional. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my last season with any other group than this one. 
 
What will you miss about Lehigh women's soccer?
BS: There are so many things I will miss about Lehigh women's soccer, but one thing I will cherish most is the relationships I've been able to develop with my teammates and coaching staff over my four years here. Each team is different and I've had the opportunity to make amazing friends and play alongside some very talented soccer players as well as be coached by a very influential staff. This program has shaped me into the person I am today and I will miss it in its entirety.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
BS: For my legacy, just being a part of a successful team, everyone need to know their role on the team and find a way to contribute. For me personally, being injured multiple times, I've tried to find a way to play a role, whether it's working with relationships off the field, helping people when they're struggling or giving my feedback to teammates. It's important to find a way to contribute no matter what your role and I hope that other people can do the same going forward.
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
BS: I am in the process of applying for jobs and hoping to use my biology degree to work in the pharmaceutical field.
 
#16 Adrian Vitello – Midfielder – Manalapan, N.J. – Bioengineering
Vitello saw action from day one as a Mountain Hawk, getting into 15 games with 13 starts as a freshman, which included her first-career goal against regional power Princeton. Making an impact on both ends of the field, Vitello scored two goals as a sophomore then two more as a junior when she was named first team All-Patriot League, and NSCAA third team All-Region. She was twice named Patriot League Midfielder of the Week, coming after scoring goals vs. Marist and at Villanova. Vitello's impact has continued in 2017, helping the Mountain Hawks reach their second straight Patriot League Tournament. She assisted on the first (and what proved to be game-winning) goal at Lafayette earlier this month. In the classroom, Vitello is a Bioengineering major who last summer, interned with a research program in the Microbiology department of the National University of Ireland Galway.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point?
AV: My favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory was traveling to France with the team during our spring break last year. It was an incredible experience being able to travel and immerse ourselves in a completely different culture together. We essentially got to travel and explore a totally different country, while also training and playing soccer with each other every day. I can't imagine a situation any better than that. I think one of the coolest things about being over there was being able to play at the Stade Oceane in Le Harve, which was a beautiful soccer stadium where the town's professional team plays. It felt as though we were superstars playing there with people from France coming out to watch us play. It's something that I will never forget.
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AV: We are a very close-knit group. We pretty much do everything together. Although we are not all the same, our personalities complement each other and each one of us brings our own uniqueness to our class. I can go to any of them with anything and I know they will always have my back. The best thing about being on the team with them is getting to play with my best friends everyday. I can't imagine going through all that we've been through these past few years without any of them. It just wouldn't be the same. I'm honestly so grateful that soccer brought all of us together.
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind?
AV: I am going into Senior Day feeling positive and excited. While there are moments when I (and the rest of the senior class) get emotional thinking about how we only have a couple games left, I think it is essential that our mentality going into this game is the same as every other game. Rather than thinking about the game on Saturday as one of our lasts, we need to focus on winning and just playing naturally and most importantly, having fun.  We have so much more to play for, not just because it isn't our last game yet. The reason we're here is because in the end, we love to play soccer so I am going to enjoy every last minute of my time on the field and have no regrets. 
 
What will you miss about Lehigh women's soccer?
AV: I think the thing that I will miss the most about Lehigh women's soccer is the company of the team and the coaching staff. It will be hard going from essentially seeing everyone every single day to all of a sudden not. The team has such a close bond, it's like we are a family. I will miss having the huge support system that comes with that.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
AV: Something that's very important to me is passion, determination and commitment. I hope that I leave here being remembered as always leaving everything on the field and doing whatever I can to help the team be successful. I want people in the future to look to me as an example of what hard work is. I hope that my absolute passion for soccer, the team and the Lehigh women's soccer program encourages people around me and in the future to never back down and always give 100 percent.

What are your postgraduate plans?
AV: I'm unsure at the moment what I'll be doing as of now after graduation. Once the season ends, I'm planning on spending more time thinking about the route that I want to take in the future. I have considered the idea of pursung my master's at graduate school and am currently in the process of applying for jobs as well.
 
#17 Lexi Chang – Forward – Morris Plains, N.J. – Finance 
After getting into nine games as a freshman, Chang tied for third on the Mountain Hawks with six points as a sophomore, scoring two goals and dishing two assists. Her first-career point, goal and assist came in the season opener against Mount St. Mary's while she scored the game's only goal in the Mountain Hawks' 1-0 victory at Penn, Lehigh's first-ever road victory against the Quakers. Chang has continued to make a strong impact as a junior and senior, dishing an assist last season at Mount St. Mary's while this year, she's played in all 16 games (with two starts) as a key veteran forward. Stellar in the classroom, Chang owns an impressive 3.74 GPA in finance and has earned a spot on the Dean's List following every semester. She has also won the Faculty Athletics Council Award and been named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll every year.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point?
LC: My favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory is our trip to France. The trip brought our class together and was an amazing experience where I learned a lot, developed relationships and got to play soccer. Playing in the stadium was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.  
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LC: There are no five other people I would have wanted to share the last four years with.  They are way more than teammates; they're my best friends. We've been together through everything, on and off the field and I know that I can always count on them. 
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind?
LC: As I approach the ending of my soccer career, I think about all the opportunities that soccer has given me and how it has shaped me into the person and player I am today. The last four years have been an incredible journey and I am so happy to have shared that experience with my best friends.
 
What will you miss about Lehigh women's soccer?
LC: I will miss the competition and pride that comes with the opportunity to play for your school and being part of something that is larger than yourself. There is something so rewarding about competing for and representing your school and your team. 
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
LC: I want to leave a legacy of hard work, passion and relentlessness. I hope that others will be inspired to always work hard, even when things may not be going your way, and to put your heart into everything you do.  
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
LC: Working for J.P. Morgan in New York City doing Sales and Trading.   
 
#19 Grace Correll – Forward – Bay Head, N.J. – Management 
Correll made an immediate impact on the Mountain Hawks' program, leading the team with 11 points behind four goals and three assists. She opened her career with a goal and assist in her collegiate debut vs. Binghamton. Correll went on to add a goal at Central Connecticut and two goals in a 2-1 win at archrival Lafayette. She went on to post two goals and an assist as a sophomore, highlighted by another goal against the Leopards, this time the overtime game-winner in a 1-0 victory. As a junior, Correll scored three goals, against LIU Brooklyn, Mount St. Mary's and Binghamton, playing all 18 games (with 16 starts). Correll has served as a key veteran forward during her senior campaign, seeing action in 12 games thus far with 11 shots (seven on goal). In the classroom, Correll has recorded a 3.53 GPA in management, earning a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll last and the Faculty Athletics Council Award.
 
What's your favorite Lehigh women's soccer memory up until this point?
GC: My favorite memory is beating Lafayette in overtime sophomore year. The image of our whole team storming the field is one that I'll always look back on and smile.
 
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
GC: We are a very close group and have grown so much together over the years. I couldn't imagine going through this journey without all five of them by my side. They are truly my best friends and I can't wait to continue making more great memories together in the years to come.
 
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind?
GC: I am approaching Senior Day ready to play another fun and competitive game on our home field. When I reflect on all of the memories I have of soccer and my teammates these past four years, I can't help but smile. It has been the greatest experience and I feel so fortunate to have been a part of this family. Senior Day for me will honestly be a symbol of another accomplishment over my career. I can't wait to celebrate all that we have achieved as a class with the whole team and all of our families.
 
What will you miss about Lehigh women's soccer?
GC: Being surrounded by my best friends every day. The greatest aspect about being on Lehigh women's soccer is the amazing relationships that I have formed over the years with my teammates.
 
What legacy do you hope to leave?
GC: I hope to be remembered as a positive motivator who built genuine relationships with each of my teammates, one who was constantly smiling and truly enjoyed every day.
 
What are your postgraduate plans?
GC: After graduating, I will be working as a Financial Product Analyst at Bloomberg LP in New York.

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