Lehigh looks to bounce back at Binghamton Wednesday
Posted: 02/26/2013
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Coming off a tough loss at Temple on Saturday, the Lehigh women’s lacrosse team returns to action when it heads to Binghamton for a Wednesday tilt with the Bobcats. Opening draw is set for 4 p.m. The Mountain Hawks enter with a 1-1 record, splitting against a pair of Philadelphia teams.
Lehigh fell behind to Temple 7-0 at the half Saturday, but bounced back to play the Owls even the rest of the way. Freshman Kris Abens and sophomore Carli Sukonik scored two goals apiece to lead the charge while junior Chelsea Retaleato added two points as well (one goal, one assist). Junior Alexandra Fitzpatrick posted six saves in goal. Sophomore defender Kelly Scott held Temple’s leading point-getter scoreless.
Two of Lehigh’s first three games and four of its first six are on the road this season, but the Mountain Hawks will enjoy two three-game homestands and one stretch of six-of-seven at home. The only road contest is at Lafayette, so Lehigh won’t be leaving the Lehigh Valley for nearly a month (from Mar. 12 at Florida to Apr. 10 at Penn State).
Binghamton enters with an 0-1 record, falling to Saint Francis (Pa.) in its season opener Saturday. Katherine Hunsberger led the way with two goals while Casey Bulman, Angela Vespa and Kristen Stone scored as well. Kara Pafumi started in goal, allowing nine goals on 13 shots in the first half before being relieved by Erin McNulty who finished with a save and goal allowed. The Bearcats fell down 9-3 at the half before outscoring the Red Flash 2-1 in a low-scoring second stanza.
Lehigh is 3-0 all-time against the Bearcats, most recently beating them 17-10 last season. Sukonik had a monster game with a career-high eight goals while Lehigh’s 17 goals were a season high. Lauren Murray also added three goals and two assists. The sides first met in 2002, a 23-4 Lehigh victory, before another Mountain Hawk win in 2006 by a 16-5 final.
Lehigh will then return home next Tuesday, Mar. 5 to welcome Delaware at 4 p.m.
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