BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Behind senior Leah Kulp’s second goal of the season and a strong performance from the Lehigh defense, the Mountain Hawks (5-5-1, 1-1-0 Patriot League) pulled out a big 1-0 victory over American on Friday evening at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Freshman goalkeeper Ashley Blanks was strong between the pipes, making six saves for her second straight shutout and third of the season. The victory gives Lehigh its first league win of the season, heading into a Sunday afternoon showdown against Navy.

 

“It’s great to get a Patriot League win,” said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. “American is a good team; they work hard, battle and put you under pressure. I thought we defended really strongly. We limited their chances to some shots from the outside.”

 

Lehigh came out strong out of the gate, holding an early shot advantage, including a number of glittering scoring chances. Freshman Sophie Mayeux had the Mountain Hawks’ second shot on goal at 24:50, then another chance less than three minutes later that was blocked after getting set up beautifully by senior Genna Pepe.

 

American began picking it up towards the end of the half, putting three shots on goal in the last 8:06 of the first, but Blanks stood tall.

 

The Mountain Hawks converted their first shot of the second half as Kulp made a move at the top of the box and fired a rocket of a shot into the top right corner of the net for her second goal of the season at the 58:41 mark.

 

“We’re starting to create better chances on our attack,” said Lambinus. “I think we’re building towards something and continually improving, but I don’t think we’re there yet, but we'll continue to keep trying.”

 

Lehigh bore down, allowing five shots the rest of the way, two on goal, but Blanks continued to impress. Kulp’s goal stood up as the Mountain Hawks held on for their second straight 1-0 victory.

 

After Lehigh held a 5-4 shot advantage in the first half, American came back to lead the final tally, 10-8. Corner kicks were even at two. Blanks made six saves for the Mountain Hawks; Arianna Efstathiou made three in the first half for American while Klare Lazor entered in the second and stopped one of two.

 

The Mountain Hawks return home on Sunday looking for their third straight win when they welcome Navy to the Ulrich Sports Complex for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

 

“Sunday is going to be a battle,” said Lambinus. “They’re going to fight hard and compete for every ball. We just have to match that intensity and continue to be patient.”