ANNAPOLIS, Md. – In a matchup featuring six-game winning streak vs. a six-game unbeaten streak, Navy jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on its way to a 2-0 victory over the Lehigh women's soccer team on Saturday. The loss is the Mountain Hawks' (5-3-4, 1-1-2 Patriot League) first in 27 days, snapping Lehigh's six-game unbeaten streak. Sophomore Sam Miller was stellar, making seven saves, including a number of sensational stops. Lehigh will look to bounce back next Saturday when it hosts American at 1 p.m.
 
"The physical effort was there, but I just thought Navy executed better and just played a better game," said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. "I'll be honest, we just looked mentally tired in the game. We didn't execute the things we have normally done. I still have good confidence in the team that we can play well in good moments. This week break is much needed as we get ready for our next game."
 
In the early going, junior Sabrina Mertz fired the game's first shot, but Navy opened the scoring in the game's eighth minute. Miller made her first save of the afternoon in the eighth minute, but a shot from Navy's Ash Fairow found the back of the net, giving the Mids an early 1-0 lead.
 
Just over 10 minutes later, Miller came up with a big save off a penalty kick to keep Lehigh's deficit at just one.
 
The Mountain Hawks posted a flurry in the 22nd minute as junior Clare Severe's header was stopped by Navy goalkeeper Sydney Fortson and Lehigh followed with consecutive corner kicks, all in the 22nd minute. The teams combined for one shot on goal the rest of the half, which Miller saved, as Navy took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
 
Lehigh put forth some early second-half pressure, recording a corner kick and two shots in the span of 1:21 between the 57th and 58th minutes. Meanwhile, Miller continued her strong play, recording four second-half saves to keep the Mountain Hawks within striking distance. However, Navy was able to tack on insurance in the 81st minute to account for the 2-0 final.
 
"Sam played a great game today," said Lambinus. "Along with the penalty-kick save, she made an unreal save late in the game. She did a really good job."
 
Final shots were 12-6 in favor of Navy while corner kicks were even at three.
 
"This was definitely one of the toughest stretches we're going to have (vs. Boston University, vs. Colgate and at Navy in eight days)," said Lambinus. "We're through it and we're hopeful we can learn from this stretch and come out a better team. There are always two roads you can take; we want to take it as an opportunity, knowing what we need to do, prepare and execute better moving forward."
 
Lehigh will return home next Saturday, Oct. 7 to host American at 1 p.m.
 
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