Lehigh faces Binghamton and Villanova

September 8, 2016

Friday vs. Binghamton: Watch Live (Free) | Live Stats | Sunday at Villanova: Watch Live (Subscription) | Live Stats
 
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - After a pair of 3-0 wins last week, the Lehigh women's soccer team is set for a busy weekend when it hosts Binghamton on Friday at 7 p.m. and heads to Villanova on Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Lehigh currently stands 3-0-1 on the season, outscoring its opponents 10-0 on the year.
 
Following the successful week, three Mountain Hawks were rewarded on Tuesday with Patriot League weekly awards as senior Tori Pantaleo was named Offensive Player of the Week, junior Adrian Vitello garnered Midfielder of the Week and freshman Sam Miller earned her second straight Rookie of the Week award. Pantaleo has been a spark for the Lehigh offense, scoring three of the team's six goals against Marist and Mount St. Mary's, all coming late in the game. She now leads the Mountain Hawks in goals (4) and points (8) on the season. Vitello was a key contributor on both sides of the field, recording a goal and assist vs. Marist while helping the defense pitch two more shutouts. Miller made five saves over the two games and has now begun her career with 380 scoreless minutes of soccer.
 
Dating back to last season, Lehigh's shutout streak has reached 453:57. The offense has been clicking as well; the Mountain Hawks have scored three or more goals for three consecutive games for the first time since 2003.
 
Binghamton has enjoyed a strong start to 2016, standing 3-1-2, already owning as many wins as it had all last season. The Bearcats have defeated Niagara, Manhattan and Siena (all by 1-0 finals) while tying St. Bonaventure and Buffalo (both 1-1 finals). Loonie Patty has scored two of Binghamton's five goals while Michele Galvin also owns four points (one goal, two assists) and Jocelyn Acor has three (one goal, one assist). Katie Hatziyianis has played every minute in goal, recording an impressive 0.46 goals against average and .885 save percentage.
 
Lehigh leads Binghamton 5-2-0 in the all-time series, last beating the Bearcats 4-0 last season. Among the goal scorers were current junior Alyssa Riporti, sophomore Sabrina Mertz and senior Kalin Ojert. The first meeting between the Mountain Hawks and Bearcats came in 2000, a 2-0 Lehigh victory.
 
Villanova is 1-4-0 on the season, but the Wildcats have played a challenging schedule. Most recently, they dropped a 2-0 final at No. 8 North Carolina as a pair of second-half goals gave the Tar Heels the win. Ida DiClemente leads the team with all three of the Wildcats' goals this season while four different Villanova players have recorded an assist. Emmalee Meyer has started all five games in goal and owns a 2.52 GAA and .667 save percentage.
 
The Wildcats lead the all-time series 6-1-2, last playing in 2014 as Darby Wiegand scored Lehigh's goal in a 1-1 tie. Prior to that meeting, the teams played in 2013 at Villanova, a 2-0 Wildcats' win. The teams first met in November of 1993, a 4-2 Nova victory.
 
Following this weekend, the Mountain Hawks will open Patriot League play at Holy Cross next Saturday (Sept. 17). Opening kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
 
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