PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Following a strong first half, the Lehigh women’s soccer team allowed three goals in a 1:49 span in the second and couldn’t bounce back in dropping a 3-0 final to Saint Joseph’s on Friday. The loss snaps the Mountain Hawks’ (3-3-1) two-game road winning streak, leading into Sunday at La Salle, which marks their final nonleague contest before the Patriot League opener against Lafayette.

 

“It was unfortunate how we came out from halftime after a positive first half of play,” said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. “From the coaches to the players, we have to do a better job of preparing ourselves to play an entire game with the necessary level of urgency and desire. I am confident that these student-athletes have it in them to recover and ultimately reach our potential this season.”  

 

An even first half saw Saint Joseph’s take three shots to Lehigh’s two. Freshman goalkeeper Ashley Blanks made two stops to keep the game scoreless after 45 minutes.

 

Just over five minutes into the second half, the Hawks used a three-goal surge to distance themselves and end any comeback hopes Lehigh had. Morgan Circe broke the ice at 50:47, followed by two Jen Pfeiffer tallies in a 57 second span, at 51:39 and 52:36.

 

Lehigh got two of its four shots off in an 86th minute flurry, but couldn’t beat Saint Joseph’s keeper Christine Neal. Freshman Sophie Mayeux had the initial chance at 85:07, which Neal turned aside, then senior Megan Cain had a shot less than 20 seconds later which went wide.

 

Saint Joseph’s held a 7-4 edge in shots while the Mountain Hawks had five corner kicks to the Hawks’ one. Blanks made two saves before being relieved by sophomore Ali Griffin while Neal entered in the second half to make one stop.

 

The Mountain Hawks return to Philadelphia on Sunday when they face another Atlantic 10 foe, La Salle, at 1 p.m. It will mark the homecoming for Mountain Hawk assistant coach Amy Hough, who played and coached for the Explorers before coming to Lehigh. Sunday marks Lehigh’s final nonleague game before its Patriot League opener next Saturday, Oct. 1, against Lafayette.