BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Scoreless into the 54th minute, Bucknell scored three unanswered goals in the second half to down the Lehigh women's soccer team, 3-0 on Saturday evening. Senior Ani Nahapetian notched eight saves in the defeat, which included stopping all six shots she faced in the first half. Nahapetian was one of seven seniors who were playing on their Senior Night. The Mountain Hawks have one regular season game remaining, at American Friday, and are still very much in the race for a spot in the Patriot League Tournament.

Along with Nahapetian, seniors Katie Centeno, Paige Elliott, Madi Morgan, Alex Sangiuliano, Emily Korber and Steph Klaubert were all recognized prior to their final home game wearing the Brown and White.
 
"I thought Bucknell executed a little bit better in the offensive third and defended a little bit better," said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. "There were about the same amount of shots for each team. They got more on goal and didn't really allow us to get behind them. I think it was a little bit better execution on both sides of the field that was the difference in the game."
 
Nahapetian was strong, especially in the early going as she made the game's first save in the fourth minute of action. Lehigh answered just over one minute later as Centeno made a feed to freshman Sabrina Mertz, who maneuvered into shooting position in the box, but her shot was saved by Bucknell goalkeeper Jessica Ratner.
 
Nahapetian made one of her best saves in the 17th minute on a Kelsey Witt shot, moving to her left to stop a shot which looked ticketed for inside the right post.
 
The Mountain Hawks had a chance in the 28th minute as Mertz fired another shot on goal, but it was stopped by Ratner. Nahapetian kept up her strong play, finishing the first half with six saves while Ratner was also tested, making four stops.
 
Bucknell came out strongly in the second half, converting the game's first goal at the 53:45 mark as Madison Loos headed the ball into the box to Maddie Mulford, who corralled the pass, settled and fired the shot inside the right post.
 
The Bison added to their lead in the 76th minute when Riley Coopersmith headed in a corner kick. Bucknell adding insurance in the 82nd minute for the 3-0 final. Lehigh enjoyed stretches of sustained pressure, but wasn't able to break through against the Bison defense.
 
"The thing that we have to continue working on is our consistency throughout the game," said Lambinus. "We have moments when we play really well, but there are a couple moments when we're just not as good and really good teams make you pay. Good teams have put balls away on us when we have those inconsistent moments."
 
Final shots were 19-17 in favor of Bucknell while the Bison held a 5-1 edge in corner kicks. Nahapetian's eight saves came across Ratner, who made six for Bucknell.
 
Lehigh will hit the road for its final regular season game at American next Friday (Oct. 30). Opening kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Standing at 7-7-3 overall and 2-4-2 in league play, the Mountain Hawks enter the final regular season game tied  for the sixth and final spot in the Patriot League Tournament.
 
"This is a big week," said Lambinus. "We're really proud of our seniors and what they've done over four years, but this is a big week for them to come off the disappointment of losing this game. Everyone has to come out and have a good week of training to prepare ourselves for next Friday."

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