Lehigh picked fifth in preseason poll
August 14, 2012
<div>BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women’s soccer team has been picked fifth in the Patriot League preseason poll, as announced on Tuesday. The Mountain Hawks are eying their second league tournament appearance in the last three seasons where they hope to replicate 2010 when they defeated Bucknell and host Army to capture their first Patriot League crown.</div>
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<div>Lehigh finished with 49 points, behind Colgate (91), Army (84), Navy (81) and Lafayette (60). Behind the Mountain Hawks are Bucknell (36), American (33) and Holy Cross (14). Lehigh was also predicted fifth prior to the 2010 season when it went on to win the Patriot League and advance to its first NCAA Tournament. </div>
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<div>Despite falling outside the Patriot League Tournament picture a year ago, Lehigh impressed in tying eventual champion Army (0-0) and beating league finalist Navy (1-0). The Mountain Hawks feature 16 returnees and seven freshmen, including 2011 First Team All-Patriot League forward Murphee Greeley. Sophomore Ashley Blanks returns in goal after posting a 1.14 GAA her rookie campaign, good for fifth in single-season school history.</div>
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<div>The league also announced its preseason major award winners and first-ever preseason All-Patriot League team. For the complete Patriot League release (which includes those winners), please click <a href="http://www.patriotleague.org/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/081412aaa.html">here</a>.</div>
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<div>The Mountain Hawks are hard at work in preseason camp, preparing for their season opener next Friday (Aug. 24) against Seton Hall. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Check back to Lehighsports.com on Wednesday for complete coverage of preseason practice - with a story, video, photos and more.</div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2012 Preseason Poll<br /> </span></strong>(First-place votes in parentheses)</div>
<div> </div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<div>Colgate</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>91 points (9)</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>2011: 11-6-2 (4-1-2 PL)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<div>Army</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>84 (3)</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>2011: 12-3-5 (3-1-3 PL)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<div>Navy</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>81 (4)</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>2011: 13-6-3 (4-2-1 PL)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<div>Lafayette</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>60</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>2011: 9-6-2 (4-2-1 PL)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<div><strong>Lehigh</strong></div>
</td>
<td>
<div><strong>49</strong></div>
</td>
<td>
<div><strong>2011: 6-9-2 (2-3-1 PL)</strong></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<div>Bucknell</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>36</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>2011: 5-10-1 (3-4-0 PL)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<div>American</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>33</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>2011: 6-11-2 (2-4-1 PL)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<div>Holy Cross</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>14</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>2011: 2-12-3 (0-5-1 PL)</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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