BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Following Monday’s 2-1 overtime thriller at Columbia, the Lehigh women’s soccer team looks to use that momentum heading into a big weekend of Patriot League action. The Mountain Hawks will head to American on Friday (3 p.m.) to face the Eagles then have a quick turnaround as they travel to Navy on Sunday (1 p.m.).

 

In one of its strongest performances of the season, sophomore Darby Wiegand scored the equalizer in the 90th minute to send the game into overtime. Junior Paige Dyrek went on to convert the game-winner in the second overtime to give Lehigh its first win at Columbia since 1993. The victory was later featured in Top Drawer Soccer’s 91st Minute; just click here to see it, which includes video of a big Ali Griffin save, Wiegand’s tying goal and Dyrek’s game-winner.

 

Lehigh held a 14-8 edge in shots and 5-4 in corner kicks. Griffin finished with four saves in her season debut while Grace Redmon made five for Columbia. The Mountain Hawks defeated the Lions for the second straight season after going 18 years between victories.

 

On Friday, the Mountain Hawks face American, who boasts a 2-8-2 record including 1-4-0 at home. The Eagles are 0-1 in league play coming off a 1-0 loss at Navy. American’s wins have come over UMBC and Howard, each by 2-1 finals.

 

Lehigh is 5-8-11 all-time against American, but did defeat the Eagles last season by a 1-0 final. The sides first met in 1991, a Lehigh defeat. The Mountain Hawks are 2-0-1 over their last three games against the Eagles.

 

The Mountain Hawks will have a quick turnaround as they face defending Patriot League Finalist Navy, who owns a 13-1, on Sunday. The Midshipmen haven’t lost since their season opener against Maryland on Aug 18. Navy opened up league play with a hard fought 1-0 victory over American.

 

Ashlynn Soellner and Morgan Dankanich lead the Midshipmen offense with nine goals apiece.  Soellner also has four assists, good for a team-high 22 points. Dankanich has three assists for 21 points while Paloma Perez leads the team with eight helpers. Elizabeth Hoerner has started in 12 of the 14 games in goal and leads the team with 48 saves and a .774 save percentage. She boasts an 11-1-0 record, allowing only 14 goals for a 1.33 GAA. Alexes Lopez-Shaw has played 290:52, owning a 2-0-0 record while stopping all five shots sent her way.

 

Lehigh beat Navy 1-0 last season behind a Murphee Greeley goal. The Mountain Hawks are 4-12-4 all-time against the Midshipmen. The first meeting came in 1993, a 4-0 road victory for Lehigh.

 

The Mountain Hawks return to action next week when they travel to Princeton on Wednesday for their final nonleague contest. They then head to on Sunday (Oct. 15) for a big Patriot League tilt against the Black Knights.

 

Like Lehigh Women’s Soccer on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.