Riporti Feature: A Legacy of Leadership

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head women's soccer coach Eric Lambinus announced on Wednesday that recent graduate Alyssa Riportihas been named graduate assistant coach. Riporti earned her degree in marketing this May following a stellar career in the Brown and White, which included All-Region and first team All-Patriot League recognition as both a junior and senior. Riporti helped spearhead a Lehigh defense which led the Patriot League in goals against average, both in 2016 and 2017.
 
"Alyssa has brought so much passion and leadership as a player over the last four years and I look forward to helping her bring those same qualities as a member of our coaching staff," said Lambinus. "If she brings the same intensity and commitment to our team development that she displayed in her career as a student-athlete, and I know she will, she will help us take that next step towards our goal of winning a Patriot League Championship. From the moment I met Alyssa, I knew she would make a great coach and I believe her experience this next year will help her – whether she decides to go into the coaching profession or another career field where she can utilize her interpersonal connectivity strengths."
 
Riporti has served as a tremendous leader for the program, serving as a two-time team captain. She won a pair of Lehigh University Awards this spring, the James. J. Duane Student Life Leadership Award (given to the seniors in recognition of extraordinary performance as a student leader at Lehigh) and the Allegiance Award (presented to seniors to recognize their dedication and continuous improvement focused within a specific organization).
 
"I am excited to remain a part of the Lehigh women's soccer program and continue my education at Lehigh University," said Riporti. "The technical entrepreneurship master's program and the graduate assistant position complement my interests in further developing my leadership, organizational, and relationship building skills to support my future success in the business community. I look forward to impacting Lehigh women's soccer, a program I have always been so passionate about."
 
On the field, Riporti started all 18 games in each of her last three seasons, posting two goals and two assists in that span. She helped the Mountain Hawks pitch 12 shutouts in 2016, including eight straight to begin the season as Lehigh's shutout streak reached 832:31 dating back to the previous year. Riporti and the Mountain Hawks followed by posting nine shutouts in 2017, allowing just 12 goals in 18 games for a second straight season as Lehigh advanced to its second straight Patriot League Tournament. Riporti received the team's Coaches Award at the annual end-of-year banquet.
 
In addition, Riporti garnered a Distinguished Achievement Award at the Lehigh Athletics Convocation, presented to student-athletes who have displayed the ideals of a scholar-athlete. Riporti was also named a candidate for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award.
 
The Mountain Hawks begin preseason practice in early August with the season opener quickly approaching, at Saint Joseph's on Sunday, Aug. 19.

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