BETHLEHAM, Pa. - The Marist Women's Soccer team fell on the road versus the Lehigh Mountain Hawks of the Patriot League on Friday evening. Though they registered 13 shots in the matchup, the Red Foxes were unable to get on the scoreboard versus an opportunistic Lehigh squad. Senior Chelsea Botta (East Longmeadow, Mass.) led the team with three shots on goal.
The first half was quiet for the majority of the period as each team struggled to build substantial possessions in the offensive zones. For Marist, its best threat was a connection between Samantha Panzner (Livingston, N.J.) and Alycia Cartica (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) in the 20th minute that missed just wide.
Lehigh broke through in the 42nd minute as Rosie Vitta put her shot in the top left corner for the match's first score.
At the half, the Mountain Hawks had outshot the Red Foxes, 3-2.
In the second half, both teams' offensives opened up more. Lehigh was the first squad to dictate the pace as two Mountain Hawks tested sophomore Andrea Wicks (East Northport, N.Y.) in net with back-to-back shots in the 55th and 56th minutes. The hosts' persistence would eventually equate to a two-goal lead in the 64th minute as Darby Dustman converted a free kick.
Looking for a spark, Botta moved from her regular defensive position to the attack. This move would pay dividends for the Red Foxes as the senior used her speed and athleticism to work herself into scoring opportunities and pepper Lehigh goalkeeper Ani Nahapetian over the final 25 minutes in search of Marist's first goal. She would record four shots and three shots on goal. Unfortunately for Marist, all three shots on goal were saved.
A goal by Lehigh in the 77th minute would make the game 3-0 in favor of the hosts.
Marist's best opportunity to get on the scoreboard over the final 13 minutes occurred when Panzner crossed a ball in from the left wing to Amanda Epstein (Jericho, N.Y.), who headed the ball down to a waiting Nicole Kuhar (Oceanview, N.J.). The senior controlled the ball and pushed it just wide of the goal.
For the game, Marist outshot Lehigh 13-9, on the strength of a 11-6 advantage in the second half. Each team put six shots on goal. Wicks made three saves in goal for the Red Foxes.
With the loss, Marist falls to 5-3 on the season.
The Red Foxes will next be in action on Sunday, Sept. 16 at Columbia University. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
