Lehigh wraps up season with 1-0 win over HC
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Junior Danielle Salans scored the game's only goal while senior goalie Ali Griffin made four saves between the pipes as the Lehigh women's soccer topped Holy Cross 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. It was Senior Day as the Mountain Hawks' six seniors were recognized prior to kickoff. The seniors end their careers with two Patriot League Tournament appearances, including the 2010 Patriot League Championship.
"It's not always easy to come out this last week to play, but I thought we played with a lot of heart and desire," said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. "That has everything to do with our seniors. I was proud of their effort tonight."
Lehigh came out firing with the first four shots, including shots on goal from sophomore Katie Centeno and Salans in the first nine minutes.
Griffin made her first save in the 28th minute and another in the 37th minute. The Mountain Hawks continued to generate chances offensively, including in the 39th minute when senior Murphee Greeley unleashed a shot that was saved by goalie Carly McCabe before Dyrek's follow-up chance went wide.
Just over a minute into the second half, Dyrek unleashed a rocket of a shot that hit the crossbar before caroming out of harm's way.
Lehigh broke through just 30 seconds later as junior Jordan Goodwin played a ball from midfield into Salans, who made a move and fired a low shot inside the left post to make it 1-0 at 46:31.
The Mountain Hawks continued to pepper the Crusaders with shots, holding a 12-2 second-half shot advantage. In the 63rd minute, Salans made a nice feed to junior Darby Wiegand on the left side, who fired a shot, but the oncoming Holy Cross goalie made the save.
With less than five minutes to go, Vitta was sprung in on goal. Lehigh attempted to get a shot off, but the Holy Cross defense stood tall. After an ensuing Crusaders' rush, Vita sprung Dyrek from the Lehigh defensive zone. Dyrek sprinted over 70 yards and fired a shot, but an oncoming McCabe made the save.
Holy Cross had one last rush, including a shot on goal in the final minute, but Griffin made her fourth save to wrap up her third-career shutout.
Final shots were.22-6 in favor of Lehigh while corner kicks were even at three. Griffin finished with four saves across McCabe who made eight.
"I thought we probably created as many chances as we've created all year," said Lambinus. "We still struggled to finish a little bit; I thought their goalie did a really good job. Defensively, we were solid."
Prior to kickoff, Dyrek, Griffin, Greeley, Heather Camperson, Katie Gavalchin and Rosie Vitta were all honored prior to their final game in the Brown and White.
"We've gotten so much contribution from all of our seniors over the last four years," said Lambinus. "We asked them this week to do something and they came through and did it. We asked a pretty hard thing, and they came through and taught our underclassmen some great things. I'm hoping that we can take this effort and build as a program. They gave their last act to the program and continue to build the program and win another championship."
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