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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Riding high after two straight impressive home victories, the Lehigh women's soccer team looks to continue the momentum when it travels to Mount St. Mary's on Saturday. Opening kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The Mountain Hawks have recorded three consecutive shutouts to begin the season for the first time since 2005.
 
Following a scoreless draw at preseason MAAC favorite Monmouth, the Mountain Hawks came home and beat LIU Brooklyn (4-0) and Marist (3-0). In the process, Lehigh extended its shutout streak to begin the season to 290 minutes and 363:57 dating back to last season. Along with scoring three goals, the Mountain Hawk defense was stellar, allowing just four shots on goal last time out vs. Marist, which goalkeeper Sam Miller handled. The freshman has now stopped all 16 shots sent her way over her first three collegiate contests.
 
Offensively, junior Adrian Vitello got the scoring started in the sixth minute while senior Tori Pantaleo scored two late goals (in the 72nd and 81st minutes) as Lehigh defeated Marist for the first time since 2012 (also a 3-0 victory). Pantaleo's two goals tied a career high, originally set during the 2015 season-opening 7-0 win over Mount St. Mary's. Pantaleo now leads the Mountain Hawks with three goals and six points in 2016 while juniors Vitello and Becca Sherry each own three points (one goal, one assist apiece).
 
Mount St. Mary's is 1-1-1 on the season, tying Howard and defeating American while falling to Loyola. The Mountaineers have gotten a boost from transfer goalkeeper Maddy Bunnell, who was recently named the NEC Goalie of the Week, making a combined 12 saves against Howard and American while tallying an .857 save percentage over those contests. Four Mount St. Mary's players (Chloe Cain, Noelle Defede, Bianca Gillman and Jenna West) are tied for the team lead with a goal and two points while four others have dished an assist. In goal, Bunnell owns a 1.54 goals against average and .762 save percentage for the season.
 
Lehigh is 3-0 all-time against Mount St. Mary's, beating the Mountaineers 1-0 in 2007 and 2014 before earning an impressive 7-0 in the 2015 season opener. In that game, current sophomore Sabrina Mertz opened the scoring in the 19th minute and added a 70th-minute goal. Pantaleo scored twice while Sherry, sophomore Clare Severe and junior Lexi Chang also scored goals. Four of the goals came in the game's final 20:44.
 
After Saturday's game, the Mountain Hawks return home next Friday, Sept. 9 to host Binghamton at 7 p.m.
 
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