Casey and Royds win PL weekly awards
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a historic 1-0 win over Boston University Saturday, a pair of standouts from the Lehigh women's soccer team were recognized on Monday with Patriot League weekly honors. Senior Mary Casey was named Defensive Player of the Week while Royds received Goalkeeper of the Week recognition. It marked Casey's first-career weekly award while Royds was honored for the third time (all this season).
Casey played an integral role in Lehigh's first-ever win over the Terriers, in a rematch of the 2018 Patriot League Championship Game. Casey was a staple on Lehigh's back line, helping shut-out the defending league champs. She also scored the game's only goal, her first-career goal, in the 41st minute. Off a free kick, she crashed the net and got a foot on the ball to redirect it past the keeper. In the end, Casey helped the Mountain Hawks tally their sixth shutout of the season.
The last line of defense for Lehigh was junior Miranda Royds, who made seven saves – five coming in the second half. Included were a pair of highlight-reel second half stops. One came in the 58th minute as Royds stymied BU's leading goal scorer Shannon Keefe, who came in all alone on a breakaway from midfield. Then in the 88th minute, Royds made a point-blank stop to preserve the 1-0 victory. For the season, she owns an impressive 0.71 goals against average and 86.8 save percentage.
Casey, Royds and the Mountain Hawks look to ride the momentum from Saturday into a Tuesday matchup at Princeton. Opening kickoff is set for 5 p.m. on ESPN+. Following Saturday's win, Lehigh stands 4-5-4 overall, including 2-3-0 in league play. The Mountain Hawks' two Patriot League victories have come against the two programs (Bucknell and Boston University) who have combined for the last six league championships. Lehigh still stands in eighth place in the standings with six points, but is only three points behind second-place Bucknell (and having a win over the Bison) and four points back of first-place Navy.
Princeton enters Tuesday 4-5-2 overall, 1-2-0 in the Ivy League. The Tigers dropped a 1-0 final at Brown Saturday, one game after winning at Dartmouth, 1-0. Courtney O'Brien leads the team in goals (4) and points (8) while Grace Sherman isn't far behind with three goals and an assist for seven points. Natalie Grossi has played every minute in goal, tallying a 1.13 GAA and 75.9 save percentage.
The Tigers lead the all-time series, 19-0-1. In the last head-to-head meeting, the Tigers picked up a 1-0 victory in a competitive contest. In the last game in New Jersey, Princeton won by a 2-0 final.
Following Tuesday's game, the Mountain Hawks return to action on Saturday when they host Holy Cross at 1 p.m. on Senior Day. Prior to opening kickoff, Lehigh Athletics will recognize the six members of the Mountain Hawks' senior class.
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