BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After being named first team All-League and second team All-Region last season, Lehigh women's soccer senior Kayla Arestivo has been named a preseason All-Patriot League honoree, as announced on Wednesday. In addition, the Mountain Hawks finished fourth in the preseason poll, garnering 105 points. Arestivo helped lead Lehigh to the 2018 Patriot League Championship Game, scoring the game-winning goal with two seconds remaining in double overtime at Bucknell in the quarterfinals.
 
Also a member of the Patriot League All-Tournament team, Arestivo scored a goal in the final two games of the regular season (at Loyola and Holy Cross). Her late first-half goal at Holy Cross evened the score at one, setting the stage for Sidonie Warncker's game-winner in the 85th minute to send the Mountain Hawks to their third straight Patriot League Tournament. Arestivo then scored the game-winner four nights later at Bucknell to give Lehigh its first postseason victory since 2010. In nonleague play, Arestivo scored the game's only goal in a big 1-0 win at Monmouth, handing the eventual MAAC Champion one of just four losses all season (finishing 16-4-1). Arestivo picked up an assist in a home victory vs. Temple while scoring a first-half goal at Towson, which was named the No. 4 Play of the Week by the NCAA.
 
The No. 5 seed in last season's tournament, Lehigh became the lowest-ever seed to advance to the championship game. In total, the Mountain Hawks have qualified for three consecutive Patriot League Tournaments and are predicted by the coaches and Sports Information Directors to reach a fourth in a row, which would mark a program record. Lehigh finished fourth in the preseason poll, garnering 105 points. Boston University finished first with 154 points and 12 first-place votes. The Terriers were followed by Colgate (146, six) and Navy (136, two). After Lehigh was Army West Point and Bucknell (91) in fifth, Loyola in seventh (71), Holy Cross in eighth (48), American in ninth (38) and Lafayette in 10th (20).
 
The season opener is set for Friday, Aug. 23 vs. Delaware at 8 p.m. The Mountain Hawks remain home two days later, welcoming Monmouth on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
 
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2019 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason All-League Team*
Anna Heilferty, Boston University, Jr., F
Ellis Miller, Colgate, Jr., F
Abby Sotomayor, Colgate, Sr., F
Mara Cosentino, Colgate, Sr., M
Kayla Arestivo, Lehigh, Sr., M
Baseley McClaskey, Navy, Sr., M
Cadie Higginson, Navy, Sr., M
McKenna Kennedy, Boston University, Jr., D
Leah Lewis, Colgate, Sr., D
Dom DeMarco, Colgate, Sr., D
Alex Jackson, Navy, Sr., D
Sydney Cassalia, Army West Point, Jr., GK
*Due to ties at the midfielder and defender positions, there is no non-specific position player.
 
2019 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Anna Heilferty, Boston University, Jr., F
2019 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Mara Cosentino, Colgate, Sr., M
2019 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Jackson, Navy, Sr., D
 
2019 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
Boston University - 154 (12 first-place votes)
Colgate - 146 (6 first-place votes)
Navy - 136 (2 first-place votes)
LEHIGH - 105
Army West Point - 91
Bucknell - 91
Loyola Maryland - 71
Holy Cross - 48
American - 38
Lafayette - 20