Game Time – Saturday, 1pm
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women’s lacrosse team opens its season on Saturday at 1 p.m. when the Mountain Hawks travel to Penn State to face the 10th-ranked Nittany Lions. Lehigh is coming off a strong 2014 season which included a 4-4 Patriot League record and berth into the league tournament. The Mountain Hawks and Nittany Lions will square off for the sixth time in the last seven years after not playing last season.
Lehigh features a strong mix of veteran and young players who look to continue the program’s upward trend. Sophomore Allison LaBeau led the Mountain Hawks in scoring in 2014, tallying 38 points (29 goals, nine assists) to earn Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors. She was much more than just an offensive player, though, adding 16 groundballs, seven caused turnovers and 24 draw controls.
The Mountain Hawks return their top four scorers from last season as senior Carli Sukonik finished with 37 points (32 goals, five assists) to earn All-Patriot League honors for the third time in as many years. Sophomore Kendall Garden was a force at both ends of the field, tallying 20 goals, 11 assists, 42 groundballs, 32 caused turnovers and 22 draw controls to also earn All-League laurels. Sophomore Krista Dampman also enjoyed a strong freshman campaign, finishing third on the team with 26 goals. Senior defendersKelly Scott, Michelle Abramczyk and Lauren Willcox continued their strong play, helping the Mountain Hawks post the second-best goals against average in the Patriot League (8.69).
Coming off a 10-8 season, Penn State returns its top two scorers from 2014 and 10 of its top 11. Madison Cyr led the way with 41 goals and seven assists while Maggie McCormick also had 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists). Five others who tallied 27 or more points also return. Cyr led the team in caused turnovers with 21 while Jenna Mosketti finished with a team-high 74 draw controls and 28 groundballs. The two goalkeepers who saw the majority of time both return. Emi Smith had a 9.52 GAA and .420 save percentage in 592:27 while Cat Rainone tallied a 10.33 GAA and .388 save percentage.
The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series, 22-0. The sides met every season from 1985-2001 then from 2009-2013.
Following Saturday’s game, Lehigh’s will return home for its home opener on Friday, Feb. 20 against UC Davis. Gametime is set for 3 p.m.
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