Bethlehem, PA – The Mountain Hawks were this close to winning their first Patriot League regular season title on Wednesday, but Army pulled away in the singles matches to take their third straight crown, winning at the Lewis Tennis Center by a 6-1 final.

The match would be tough from the beginning for Lehigh, as co-captain Rachel Samson was hampered by an abdominal strain and was reduced to less than full strength. Army took the doubles point, as Marissa Limsiaco and Megan Noble defeated Samson and Kristen Nowicki 9-7 in the deciding set after the teams split the second and third flight sets.

From there, Army would cruise, as Samson was unable to go in singles and Lehigh was forced to change around its rotation.  Nowicki picked up the lone point of the afternoon for the Mountain Hawks, defeating Limsiaco 6-2, 6-4 in top flight singles to finish the season unbeaten in Patriot League singles play.

With the loss, Lehigh finishes the season 13-4, 3-2 in the Patriot League.  Army improved to 18-7, and 5-0 in the league play.  Army clinches the regular season title, and will host the postseason tournament beginning on Saturday.  Lehigh will be the No. 2 seed, and will take on No. 3 American in the first round, while Army will face Colgate.

Lehigh vs. Army – Doubles                                                     

Lehigh vs. Army – Singles