BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women's soccer team fell behind 1-0 early, but rebounded in a big way, scoring the next three goals in a 3-2 win over Saint Joseph's on Sunday afternoon. Freshman Sabrina Mertz scored twice to tie a career high while sophomore Grace Correll's first goal of the season proved to be the game-winner. Senior goalkeeper Ani Nahapetian made six saves in another strong performance between the pipes. With the win, Lehigh improves to 4-2-1 heading into the Patriot League opener vs. Holy Cross Saturday. The Mountain Hawks handed Saint Joseph's just its second loss of the season (compared to four victories).
 
"It was a tough game. We always knew it was going to be a tough game, playing Friday-Sunday, needing to be mentally tough against one of the best teams in the Atlantic 10," said Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus. "They have some of the best attacking players that we've seen all season. We were really pleased with the effort that we had."

 

Nahapetian began the afternoon with an aggressive stop as Alyssa Murphy put a ball towards goal from a tough angle, but the senior goalkeeper was there to get a piece in the 15th minute. Less than two minutes later, Nahapetian couldn't stop an Emily Gingrich shot off a corner kick, as Saint Joseph's took a 1-0 lead at the 15:43 mark.
 
As the first half continued, Lehigh began to create chances, including one in the 26th minute which led to the tying goal. Close to the end line by the flag, Mertz fired the ball towards goal from a nearly impossible angle. The ball was placed perfectly, somehow finding the back of the net.
 
Mertz had another glittering chance in the 32nd minute. Near midfield, sophomore Adrian Vitello fed Mertz with a pass leading her to goal. Amidst defenders, Mertz got off a hard shot, forcing Saint Joseph's goalie Grace Bendon to make an aggressive stop.
 
Nahapetian was forced to make some strong saves in the closing minutes of the first half, making stops in the 37th and 42nd minutes, to keep the score 1-1 at halftime.
 
Mertz struck again just over 10 minutes into the second half for her second goal of the game, and team-leading sixth of the season, to make it 2-1 Mountain Hawks. Sophomore Alyssa Riporti made a strong pass from the midfield, leading sophomore Lexi Chang towards goal. Chang's initial shot was saved, but Mertz immediately put home the rebound at 55:01.
 
The Mountain Hawks added insurance in the 69th minute as Correll took a Saint Joseph's turnover, dribbled towards goal and fired a shot from distance. Bendon got a piece, but not enough as the ball still found the back of the net to make it 3-1.
 
The Hawks pulled within 3-2 at the 80:12 mark as a quick succession of passes led to a Hannah Racis goal. Saint Joseph's made a late-game push to tie the score, continuing to attack. The Hawks fired five shots over the final 9:48, two of which were saved by Nahapetian and another which hit the crossbar, but Lehigh held on. Nahapetian came out strong to attack one final corner kick attack in the final seconds to preserve the victory.
 
Final shots were 25-13 in favor of Saint Joseph's while corner kicks were tied at five. Nahapetian's six saves came across Bendon, who finished with five.
 
"Our players are doing good things because they're attacking and being aggressive," said Lambinus. "When you go at people, serve the ball into good spaces, attack the goal and follow up shots, goals happen. We've had a couple years when we've struggled to score goals and I don't think we've had that mentality that we can put the ball in the back of the net. We've scored some scrappy goals and that's what you need to do. We've scored some good ones, but we've definitely scored some scrappy ones, too."
 
Lehigh now looks ahead to Patriot League play, which begins on Saturday as the Mountain Hawks welcome Holy Cross at 5 p.m.
 
"It's great to be in this position, but the league resets right now," said Lambinus. "The season starts now. It's good that we've put ourselves in a position that we have confidence, but everything matters now (in Patriot League play)."

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