BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women's soccer team and Penn played 78 minutes of scoreless soccer before the Quakers netted two goals in the final 11 minutes of the contest to capture a 2-0 win Tuesday night at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The Mountain Hawks fall to 4-6-5 with the loss while Penn improves to 6-5-3.
 
"We do some really good things and defend pretty well, but we have momentum in the game and just can't take advantage of it," said head coach Eric Lambinus. "It's the same as a lot of the games we've played lately because we can't take advantage of the momentum and put the ball in the back of the net."
 
Junior Ani Nahapetian made her first save just under five minutes into the game on a shot from Penn's Clara Midgley. The Mountain Hawks pressured the Quakers and tallied seven shots through the first 20 minutes of the half. Lehigh's first shot on goal came in the 27th minute when senior Danielle Salans fired a shot from the top of the 18-yard box, but Penn keeper Kalijah Terili was there to make the save.
 
The Quakers had a golden opportunity in the 34th minute as a player made a sliding attempt to net a pristine cross, but Nahapetian was able to stop the ball from crossing the line just in time. Lehigh responded with another pair of shots on goal, but Terili stayed strong between the pipes as the first half ended in a scoreless draw.
 
Lehigh controlled momentum for the start of the second half, tallying six shots within the first 20 minutes. Three of those shots were corralled by Terili, including a drive from distance by freshman Adrian Vitello but the Mountain Hawks continued to apply strong pressure.
 
Penn seized the momentum in the 73rd minute, rifling off three shots before Olivia Blaber netted the Quakers first goal in the 79th minute on a bicycle kick off a free kick. The Quakers added an insurance goal in the 86th minute when Anna Estep fired a ball that banked off the left post and past the hands of Nahepetian to give Penn the 2-0 win.
 
Penn held a 16-15 shot advantage and Lehigh held a 3-1 corner kick edge. Nahapetian finished with a strong six saves, while Terilli made seven. Junior Emily Korber and senior Darby Wiegand led Lehigh with three shots apiece.
 
The Mountain Hawks head to Holy Cross for their final game of the regular season Saturday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. and free video will be available on the Patriot League Network.
 
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