2008 Woodie Awards
RSSTeam begins league play against Crusaders
By Kaitlin Dean
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Sports
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Despite the loss to Maryland, the Mountain Hawks started the season strong, with a record of 5-3-2.
Lehigh has a difficult non-league schedule; facing top 25 programs, as well as ACC and Big Ten opponents. The rigorous schedule has helped the team mentally prepared for its opening league schedule, Assistant Coach Mary McVeigh said.
"Solid performances against Michigan State and Villanova [universities] should give us confidence heading into league play," McVeigh said. "Knowing that we've challenged ourselves during the month of September in hopes that we are a stronger team in October and November because of it."
Despite the non-league victories, the team is aware of the importance of league games, senior defender Michaela Pawlewicz said.
"I think it is always a little more nerve wracking going into league games, you can't afford to let them slip by," Pawlewicz said. "I think we are all really prepared for what is ahead of us."
Last season, the Hawks defeated Holy Cross 2-1 at home for the last game of the regular season, securing Lehigh a spot in the Patriot League tournament.
"We ended up beating them 2-1 last season, but it was an extremely close game," sophomore midfielder Roxy Jahangeri said. "Both teams scored a goal a piece in the second half."
Even though last year's game was tough, the team feels extremely optimistic for the match, Jahangeri said.
"Holy Cross is a group of hard workers and it definitely won't be an easy game for us," Jahangeri said. "But the team is really excited to start our league games and hopefully we'll get a win this weekend."
The Hawks will be backed offensively by sophomore forward Liz Carlos, who leads the team in scoring with nine points. Freshman forward Lauren Wright is the leading scorer for Holy Cross with five points.
Junior Julie Kafka and freshman Lauren Mains will split goalkeeping duties for the Hawks and freshman goalkeeper Mary Ferketic will be in goal for the Crusaders.
For the past three years, the Hawks have played Holy Cross in the final games of the season.
"I think it will be good to play Holy Cross as our first match," Pawlewicz said. "It will be the first time that we can show the rest of the league how ready we are for league play. I think we are a better team this year than we were last year and this will be the first time that we can show that directly to league competition."
The team is trying not to focus too much on the fact that the game is away, McVeigh said.
"It is never easy to open up the Patriot League with an away game," McVeigh said. "But we have a full week to rest and prepare, so we will definitely be ready. Not to take anything away from the matches we've played so far, but every single game, every single goal from here on out matters. The girls know this, and are up for the challenge."
Game time is set for noon on Sunday at Linda Johnson Smith Stadium.
