QUEENS, N.Y. - Sophomore Kayla Arestivo opened the scoring in the eighth minute then created a penalty kick in the 50th minute, which classmate Annika Jansa buried to give the Lehigh women's soccer team a 2-1 win at St. John's on Sunday evening at Belson Stadium. Lehigh (4-2-1) handed St. John's just its second loss of the season while the win caps off the Mountain Hawks' weekend sweep against the Big East, following a 1-0 victory over Villanova Friday night. Sophomore goalkeeper Sam Miller made six saves in a stellar effort that included a big stop on a free kick in the final minutes to help preserve the victory.
 
"That was a great college soccer game," said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. "It was exciting, it was end-to-end, there was attacking, lots of good shots and lots of good opportunities. Both teams had a good attacking mentality and played really well. I'm happy that after we gave up a goal, we fought back and got the game-winner in the second half. We're starting to see the attacking mentality that we want. To be able to score two goals on that team, I'm proud of them."
 
After Miller made an early save in the fifth minute, the Mountain Hawks took advantage of their first offensive opportunity. Following a free kick, senior Amanda Stratton's shot from in close was blocked and the rebound corralled to Arestivo, who buried her first goal of the season to give Lehigh an early 1-0 lead at the 7:51 mark.
 
Both teams continued to attack as freshman Lisa Kestelboym had a shot from distance in the 18th minute that sailed just high and wide. In the 24th minute, junior Clare Severe's shot near the top of the box just missed the mark. Not long after, St. John's was awarded a penalty kick, Miller made a sensational save to her right, but Lucy Whipp put home the rebound to even the score in the 28th minute.
 
Early in the second half, Arestivo helped Lehigh retake a lead as she was tripped in the box and Jansa converted her second penalty kick goal in as many games in the 50th minute. From there, the Mountain Hawks didn't allow a shot on goal until the final four minutes of regulation while continuing to attack themselves. Lehigh held a 6-3 edge in shots over the middle stages of the stanza until St. John's had one last rush.
 
In the 87th minute, Miller made an impressive stop off a free kick, leaping to make a stop on a ball that looked ticketed for under the crossbar. In the ensuing scramble for the rebound, Stratton cleared the ball off the line to help preserve the 2-1 advantage. That was St. John's last shot as the Mountain Hawks held onto their third road victory of the year (compared to just one loss).
 
"Coming off a weekend when we played well, but lost two games, we worked all week on becoming a better team," said Lambinus. "For us, it's not about work ethic; work ethic is a given within our program. They really committed themselves to playing better and getting results, so it's great to face strong competition this weekend and come away with wins."
 
Final shots were tied at 14 while the Mountain Hawks held a 3-1 edge in corner kicks. Miller finished with six saves across Jordan Kamp of St. John's, who made one.
 
"Tonight's game was just awesome," said Lambinus. "To jump on them early on a Sunday night and come out here and give the energy we gave, we can't ask for anything else."
 
The Mountain Hawks return to action on Saturday when they open Patriot League play at Army West Point. Opening kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

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