Leonard's OT Goal Gives Delaware Revenge over Lehigh
from press release
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Morgan Leonard picked a great
time to record her first career hat trick. The University of
Delaware sophomore found the back of the net with just 11 seconds
left in the overtime period to help the women’s lacrosse team
defeat Lehigh University 10-9 Saturday afternoon at the Ulrich
Sports Complex.
“Today was a great win for Delaware,” said UD head
coach Kateri Linville. “Last year, Lehigh stole a win from
this team on our home turf. This year the team refused to lose. It
comes down to executing under pressure. Morgan Leonard stepped up
and hit the game-winner and Ali Libertini stepped up and grabbed
the game-winning draw.
Delaware, which improved to 2-1 on the season, avenged a 12-11 loss
to the Mountain Hawks in the 2010 season opener. The Blue Hens are
now 23-7 all-time against Lehigh.
Leonard (at right) finished the day with four points, scoring three
times while handing out one assist. Holly Burman and Kalyn
McDonough each had a two-goal day. A senior attacker, Libertini
posted a three-point day with one goal and a pair of helpers.
Julianna Jeffers and Chelsea Fay each tallied a goal for
Delaware.
Lehigh suffered its first loss of the season and fell to 1-1, but
got three goals and an assist from senior Lauren Dykstra, who was
named the Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Kelly Draper was the only other Lehigh player with multiple goals.
Allison Thomas had three of the Mountain Hawks’ assists,
while Dykstra had the fourth.
The Blue Hens came out on fire, jumping out to an early 6-0 lead
midway through the first half. Leonard and Burman each scored twice
during the run, while Jeffers and McDonough recorded the other two
Delaware markers.
The Mountain Hawks got on the board at the 13:13 mark as Megan
Kelly finished a pass from Thomas. Lehigh closed the gap once again
as Thomas scored her only goal of the afternoon.
Libertini found the back of the net at the 8:06 mark for her sixth
goal of the season. Leonard was credited with the assist.
Dykstra closed the first stanza with her sixth marker of the year,
with Thomas on the assist. The Hens took a 7-3 advantage into the
halftime break.
Lehigh controlled the offensive pace in the second half, outscoring
Delaware 6-2 over the final 30 minutes of regulation. Dykstra
opened the half with a free position tally less than three minutes
in, followed by another free position goal by Chelsea
Retaleato.
McDonough scored her second goal of the afternoon at the 23:43 mark
of the half, pushing the Delaware advantage to 8-5.
But the Mountain Hawks rallied back, knotting the action at 8-8
with over half the period still left on the clock. Dykstra, Draper
and Anna Patterson each tallied a goal to tie the game.
A freshman, Fay scored her first collegiate goal to put Delaware
back on top, 9-8.
But with three minutes remaining in the game, Draper scored her
second of the day, to again tie the game. Dykstra was given the
assist on the goal.
After the teams battled through the first five and half minutes of
overtime with out a goal, Leonard buried a shot for her third goal
of the day and first hat trick of her career.
“Every game comes down to your ability to compete and
execute,” said Linville. “We pushed the pace to start
the game. We executed to end the game. I look forward to seeing
what this team can do when we compete and execute for an entire 60
minutes.”
Lehigh, which was selected to finish second in the Patriot League
Preseason Coaches’ Poll, capitalized on its free position
shots, going five-for-10 on the afternoon. Dykstra led the Mountain
Hawks, going two-for-three while Thomas went one-for-two. Paterson
had the team’s fifth free position goal, scoring on her only
attempt.
Delaware struggled on the eight-meter line, going zero-for-seven.
But the Hens made up for it with perfect clearing, gaining the
offense zone on all 11 of their transition attempts.
The Hens dominated on offense, outshooting Lehigh 30-22, including
a 20-shot first half. In goal for UD, Makenzie Worthington stood
tough, making eight saves, including one in the overtime period.
Lehigh managed four overtime shots.
In the groundball column, Lehigh took a narrow 14-13 advantage.
Delaware caused seven turnovers on the day, led by Angela
Biciocchi’s two. Leonard set the groundball pace for
Delaware, grabbing three, while also snaring four of the
Hens’ eight draw controls.
Delaware continues its five-game road swing on March 5 when it
heads to Camden, N.J. to take on the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers
University. Action is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the RU Turf
Field.
