Lehigh Wins Defensive Battle Over Marist
from press release
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women’s
lacrosse team jumped out to a 6-0 halftime lead before holding off
a Marist charge to win its season-opener, 8-5 on Saturday
afternoon. The Red Foxes pulled as close as 6-5 with less than 10
minutes remaining, but the Mountain Hawks added two late insurance
goals to erase any doubt. Senior Leigh Ann Torcivia shattered her
career-high with five points via two goals and three assists in the
victory.
“We’re thrilled to get a win, first of all,” said
Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. “It’s exciting for
that. We played exactly according to our game plan in the first
half, then in the second, we had a bunch of unforced errors which
they capitalized on.”
Sophomore Julie Tatios tied a career-high two goals while seniors
Lauren Murray and Kelly Draper scored a goal, as did freshmen Carli
Sukonik and Kelsey Yenco. Sophomore Alexandra Fitzpatrick was
stellar with 11 saves, including six stops without allowing a goal
in the first.
“We were really patient on attack and that’s sort of
new for us, to not go down and shoot right away,” said
Redfern. “I thought our defense played well and Alex was a
total difference maker back there.”
After over eight minutes of scoreless action, Tatios scored the
first goal of the season at 21:45 off a free position shot.
Torcivia added her first less than two minutes later before the
Mountain Hawks used a surge of three goals in a 3:01 span to open a
5-0 advantage at the 9:49 mark. Tatios and Torcivia both scored
their second of the game, while Sukonik added her first collegiate
goal with one second on the clock to make it 6-0 at the half.
Marist slowly chipped away, pulling within 6-3 at 17:21, then as
close as 6-5 following an Ariel Kramer goal with 7:24 remaining.
But the Mountain Hawks responded with goals from Yenco and Draper
in the final five minutes to wrap up the victory.
Final shots stood even at 18 while Marist held a 20-19 edge in
groundballs. Lehigh finished with eight draw controls to five for
the Red Foxes while their goalkeeper Ashley Casiano had six saves
across Fitzpatrick’s 11.
“[Our team] grew up a lot, just getting through that game and
coming out with a win - not letting it get away from them,”
said Redfern.
The Mountain Hawks will return to action next Saturday (Feb. 25) at
Delaware. Opening draw is set for 3 p.m.
