BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women’s soccer team looks to bounce back from a tough 2-1 loss to Lafayette Friday when it returns to the pitch just 48 hours later. The Mountain Hawks continue their six-game homestand when they welcome Ivy League foe Columbia to the Ulrich Sports Complex. The Lions mark the first of three Ivy League opponents Lehigh will host in October.

 

In Friday’s Patriot League opener, the Mountain Hawks battled back from down a goal, and a player, to tie the score at one with just six seconds remaining in the first half. But Lafayette came out strong in the second to outshoot the Mountain Hawks, 8-6, and outscore them, 1-0 as the Leopards walked away with the 2-1 victory.

Senior Genna Pepe enjoyed a strong game, scoring Lehigh’s goal while finishing with a team-high three shots (all on goal). Freshman goalkeeper Ashley Blanks also impressed with seven saves, including six in the second half to give the Mountain Hawks a chance.

 

A perennial Ivy League power, Columbia enters with a 4-5 record and perfect 2-0 mark in Ivy League play. The Lions bounced back from a tough start by winning four of their last five games, including league wins against Cornell and Brown. Alexa Yow leads the offense with a team-high two goals. Coleen Rizzo is also tied for the team lead with four points (one goal, two assists) while three others each have three points via a goal and assist. Lillian Klein has started eight of the nine games in goal, posting a 0.97 GAA and .840 save percentage.

 

Lehigh is 1-6-2 all-time against Columbia, tying the Lions in each of the past two seasons. Last year, a late goal from current senior Jana Basubas tied the score in the second half while goalkeeper Lauren Mains made five saves to backbone the defense. The sides first met in 1992, a 3-2 Lehigh loss, but the Mountain Hawks responded in ’93 for their lone win against Columbia, 1-0.

 

The Mountain Hawks return to Patriot League play on Friday when they host American at 7 p.m. Lehigh rounds out its weekend next Sunday against Navy. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.