Mountain Hawks Travel to Bucknell Friday; Venture to No. 20 UAlbany Sunday

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh field hockey team opens the weekend with Patriot League play at Bucknell slotted for 7 p.m. on Friday. On Sunday, Lehigh heads to No. 20 UAlbany for a non-conference matchup.
 
Lehigh (9-5, 2-2 PL) dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to American on Friday followed by a 2-1 overtime win over Rider on Sunday’s Senior Day. Senior Julia Gatelein scored the game-winner for the Mountain Hawks. Gatelein (4 goals, 6 assists) and classmate Lotte Smorenburg (5 goals, 4 assists) lead Lehigh offensively with 14 points apiece.
 
Bucknell leads the all-time series 24-23-1, with the Mountain Hawks picking up a 3-2 overtime win last season. Sophomore Kiki Mes scored in the victory. Lehigh is sitting in third in the league with the Bison sitting in sixth. With a loss to Lehigh, Bucknell can be eliminated from postseason contention, while the Mountain Hawks will look to strengthen their postseason chances with a victory.
 
Bucknell (6-8, 1-3 PL) are led by reigning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and the Preseason Player of the Year in Lily Neilson who has eight goals and one assist. The Bison picked up a win over Holy Cross and losses to Lafayette and Boston University. 
 
The Mountain Hawks trail 3-0 in the all-time series with UAlbany, dropping a 4-1 decision in 2013. The No. 20 Great Danes (9-5) most recently dropped a 4-3 contest to No. 3 North Carolina on Sunday. Junior Alison Smisdom leads the offensive with an impressive 16 goals and four assists.
 
Friday’s game will be streamed on ESPN+ and Sunday’s broadcast can be found at https://bit.ly/3M6aZ8U .