The Lehigh field hockey program took some time to reflect on its 2009 season at this year's Eugene M. '35 and Harriet Henry Fall Sports Banquet, which was held on Sunday, January 17, at the University Center, and was sponsored by the Lehigh Athletics Partnership.  Three Mountain Hawk athletes captured awards on the afternoon, in a program that included dinner, presentation of awards, and reflections from head coach Julie Mazer and members of the team.

Led by senior Julie Kuhns’ 4.0 grade point average, Lehigh placed 17 student-athletes on the Patriot League Field Hockey Academic Honor Roll, which was announced on Wednesday. Kuhns was one of six Patriot League field hockey student-athletes to earn perfect 4.0 GPAs in the fall semester. As a team, Lehigh’s 17 Academic Honor Roll selections ranked second in the league behind American. To be eligible for the honor roll, a student-athlete must have a 3.2 or better.

Lehigh freshman forward Kim Eng was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Mideast Region second team it was announced on Thursday. Eng was recently named the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Year after leading the league in goals and points during the regular season. She becomes the third Mountain Hawk to earn All-Region honors under head coach Julie Mazer, joining Christy Smith (2006, 2007) and Blaire Goodwin (2003).

Lehigh had its hands full with the Patriot League regular season champion American Eagles on Friday morning as the fourth-seeded Mountain Hawks fell to the top seed 7-1 in the semifinals of the 2009 Patriot League Tournament.  Senior Lindsey Smith scored Lehigh’s lone goal while the Eagles used a five-goal first half to earn a spot in Saturday’s championship.  With the loss the Mountain Hawks’ 2009 season comes to an end with a record of 6-11 while American ups its record to 10-8.

Lehigh heads to Washington, D.C. for the 2009 Patriot League Tournament, and will take on top seed and regular season champion American in Friday’s first semifinal. Second-seed Bucknell and Lafayette, the No. 3 seed, will tangle in the other semifinal with the two winners slated to meet on Saturday afternoon.  Lehigh is looking to avenge a loss to the Eagles in its regular season finale last Sunday in Washington. The Mountain Hawks will try to beat American for the first time in school history and advance to the championship game for the first time since 1996.