2008 Woodie Awards
RSSTeam's season ends in 0-0 tie
By Ali Gallagher
Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: Sports
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The game was a do-or-die situation for the team-it needed the win to move into the Patriot League tournament.
"We had a lot of energy and a lot of chances, but we couldn't finish," Head Coach Manny Oudin said. "Of course the girls are disappointed, but I'm proud of their effort and the seniors especially put on a great last performance."
The Mountain Hawks dominated the field of play throughout the game due to their quick pass-and-move strategy, keeping them in constant possession of the ball.
The Hawks pounded 10 shots on goal in the first half, to Army's two, but they could not find the back of the net. Lehigh out shot Army 16-9 in the game.
Lehigh's junior goalkeeper Julie Kafka and freshman goalkeeper Lauren Mains, who played the first and second halves for the Mountain Hawks respectively, were each credited with two saves.
Lehigh's defensive four was controlled by senior captain and Patriot League defensive player of the year, Michaela Pawlewicz. Pawlewicz kept the game at 0-0 when she sprinted into the goal to block Army's freshman midfielder Kelley Robbins' shot.
Coming into the game, the Hawks' defenders were wary of Army's strong forwards, senior Jenna Roberts and junior Pia White. White, who has eight points on the season, including three goals and two assists, especially challenged the defense with her speed and strong technical skills. But she was shut down multiple times by Lehigh's defensive wall.
"We did well with their strong forwards," Oudin said. "In the flow of the game we did a good job containing them and once we dropped one defender out to free up space in the backfield, we did a great job."
Pawlewicz was injured during the last three minutes of the first overtime and was taken out of the game, but she returned for the second overtime.
Sophomore forward Liz Carlos and senior forward Jen Fetsick led Lehigh's offense with a combined six shots, three of which were on goal. The two came close to putting a goal on the board for Lehigh after a Pawlewicz cross on a corner kick, but couldn't put it away.
The Hawks' offense dominated the game's play both in the air and on the ground. The Hawks kept up with the high pace Army presented and set the tone for the majority of the game.
The night began with a tribute to the graduating senior class of 2008, as the game was the last home game of the regular season.
With the loss of seven seniors, the Hawks will be relying on its 18 remaining underclassmen to fill the void next season.
Carlos, who started in each of the team's 18 games, led the Hawks in scoring, finishing the season with 13 points, including four goals and five assists.
The team ended the season 7-7-4, 2-3-2 in the Patriot League. Army will play again next weekend in the Patriot League tournament.
