BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Following four straight games on the road, the Lehigh women's soccer team returns home to host Monmouth on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saint Joseph's on Sunday (1 p.m.). The Mountain Hawks finished their road trip 2-2, capped off by a thrilling 3-2 overtime win at Temple on Sunday when senior Madi Morgan scored her first-career goal 3:13 into the extra session. This weekend's games mark the final tune-up before Patriot League play, which begins next Saturday (Sept. 19) against Holy Cross.
 
Lehigh began its trip with a 2-1 overtime loss at Marist before beating Binghamton 4-0 then falling to La Salle in a tight 2-1 contest. The Mountain Hawks tied the score at one in the 68th minute on a penalty kick goal from junior Laura Courtney, which was created by freshman Sabrina Mertz. However, the three-time defending NCAA Tournament participant Explorers answered with the go-ahead and game-winning goal less than ten minutes later.
 
Sunday's game at Temple featured back-and-forth action. Lehigh fell behind early, but responded with goals from freshman Amanda Marques and sophomore Adrian Vitello. The Owls tied the score at two, leading into Morgan's heroics. In the end, Lehigh scored as many goals (3) as Temple had allowed all season coming in (450 minutes).
 
Three of the Mountain Hawks' top five scorers this season are freshmen. Mertz leads the way with eight points (three goals, two assists) while Clare Severe is tied for third with five points (one goal, three assists) and Marques is fifth with four points (two goals). Courtney is second on the squad with six points (two goals, two assists) and junior Tori Pantaleo is tied for third with five (two goals, one assist).
 
Monmouth has enjoyed a strong start to the season, entering the weekend with a 4-1-1 record. The Hawks are 0-1-1 in their last two, though, falling to Lafayette in overtime and tying Seton Hall. Monmouth began the season by beating Marshall, Loyola, NJIT and Fairleigh Dickinson. Erica Murphy and Rachael Ivanicki are tied for the team lead in points with three goals and six points, respectively. Alexis McTammy and Rachelle Ross are each tied for third with five points (two goals, one assist apiece). Sydney Lavan has played every minute in goal, owning a 0.96 GAA and .806 save percentage.
 
The Mountain Hawks are just 3-9-1 all-time against Monmouth after dropping a 1-0 final in 2013. Monmouth has won three in a row with Lehigh's last victory coming in 2009 in double overtime.
 
Saint Joseph's enters the weekend 3-1-0. The Hawks do play Seton Hall on Friday evening. Saint Joe's has beaten Buffalo, Sacred Heart and Rider while falling in overtime to Northeastern. Emily Gingrich leads Saint Joseph's with seven points behind three goals and one assist. Dakota Mills is next with six points (three goals) and Shannon Westhead owns four points (two goals). A pair of goalkeepers have split time, each starting twice. Grace Bendon has a 0.99 GAA and .800 save percentage while Allison Ebling owns a 1.50 GAA and .700 save percentage.
 
Saint Joseph's leads the all-time series, 8-5-1, which includes a 1-0 Saint Joe's victory last season as Lehigh succumbed to a late header in the 73rd minute. The Mountain Hawks' last victory came on Sept. 12, 2010 by a 4-1 final in Philadelphia.
 
Following the weekend, Lehigh will open Patriot League play on Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. Holy Cross at 5 p.m.
 
Like Lehigh Women's Soccer on Facebook and follow on Twitter for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.

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