NEW YORK, N.Y. - Down 1-0, the Lehigh women’s soccer team pulled out one of its most dramatic wins in recent memory, tying the score in the 90th minute before winning it in the second overtime as the Mountain Hawks walked away with a 2-1 win over Columbia on Monday night. Sophomore Darby Wiegand scored the equalizer while junior Paige Dyrek converted the game-winner to give Lehigh its first win at Columbia since 1993, and with it, momentum heading into a big Patriot League weekend.

 

“It was our best team effort from beginning to end [of the season],” said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. “I thought we played really well. I thought we controlled the tempo of the game and really limited their chances.”

 

The win marks Lehigh’s second consecutive victory over Columbia after going 18 years between wins versus the Lions. Last season’s win also came in overtime as Sophie Mayeux scored the golden goal to send the Mountain Hawks home winners.

 

After a scoreless first half which saw the Mountain Hawks hold a commanding 7-1 edge in shots, Columbia got on the board first just 9:01 into the second when Colleen Rizzo converted a penalty kick to make it 1-0.

 

Lehigh took advantage of a penalty kick off its own at 89:04 as Dyrek dribbled into the box and was tripped up. Wiegand converted the ensuing penalty kick to tie the score at one.

 

Columbia controlled the first overtime period, owning a 4-0 edge in shots, but only one was on goal which junior Ali Griffin stopped to help force a second overtime.

“We struggled in the first overtime, but we held them. They had a couple shots but didn’t have any great scoring chances,” said Lambinus. “It was great to get through that first overtime because we hadn’t done so in three games (Monmouth, Saint Joseph’s and La Salle).”

 

Lehigh went on to convert at 101:26 off a corner kick for the big victory. Freshman Paige Elliott played the corner in, which got through to the back post. Senior Isabelle Li made a nifty play to shield the goalkeeper and let the ball go through her legs to Dyrek, who did the rest.

 

“We haven’t been able to take advantage of opportunities in the past and tonight we did,” said Lambinus. “We were able to take care of some fortunate breaks. We’re hoping we can build upon this. We’d had some moments when we played really well but hadn’t really put together a complete game. To be on the road and come back to win a game, we got through a lot of hurdles, but know our biggest weekend of the season is coming up at American and Navy.”

 

Lehigh held a 14-8 edge in final shots and 5-4 in corner kicks. Griffin finished with four saves in her season debut while Grace Redmon made five for Columbia.

 

Lehigh will head south for a big Patriot League weekend. The Mountain Hawks play at American on Friday (3 p.m.) and Navy on Sunday (1 p.m.).

 

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