BETHLEHEM, PA- Monmouth University's (3-2) women's lacrosse team could not complete a comeback against Lehigh (3-2) on Saturday afternoon, with the Mountain Hawks coming away with a 17-13 victory.

For the second straight game a late first half run downed the Hawks, as Lehigh scored seven unanswered goals to erase a deficit and take four-goal advantage into halftime.  Rachel Mills (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic/Towson) led the Hawks with four goals while Caroline Bleck (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale) finished with a hat trick to her credit. Senior goalie Stephanie Delliturri (Ringoes, NJ/Hunterdon Central) made 10 saves in net for the Blue & White.
 
Monmouth held a 7-4 lead after the first 17 minutes of the opening half but Lehigh scored seven consecutive goals to take a commanding 11-7 lead into the break. The Hawks built the lead by winning the draw but 11 first-half turnovers and a pair of key yellow cards allowed Lehigh to claw back into the contest.
 
Chloe Novak (Landsdale, PA/North Penn) got the Hawks back on the board early in the second half to cut the lead to three goals but the Mountain Hawks answered swiftly, responding with four unanswered goals in less than four minutes to remain in front, 15-8. The Hawks continued to battle, using three consecutive goals to get to within 15-11 with 20:50 left but could get no closer than four goals in the remaining time.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"We are doing some really good things on both ends of the field but we need to elevate our transition game so we can capitalize on our opportunities. It comes down to catching and throwing and the team that executes the fundamentals at the highest level always wins and I want to make sure that is us as we head into the next two weeks of tough games." Monmouth Head Coach Jordan Trautman
 

• Sophomore Taylor Emmell had her first multiple-goal game
• Monmouth committed 22 turnovers and went just 11-of-18 in clear attempts
• Coming into the game Monmouth had led the all-time series 5-4
• It was the first meeting between the two programs since the 2009 season
• Senior Sarah Gillogly had three points on a pair of goals and an assist
• Monmouth was allowing just over eight goals per contest coming into the game
• The Hawks have dropped a pair of goals to Patriot League opponents this week

 
NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Lehigh led in shots 36-27 but shots with shots on goal ending 27-22
• Monmouth held a 18-15 advantage in draw controls, led by Mills' eight
• Bleck took all three free position attempts for the Hawks
• Emily Holtz had three caused turnovers for the Blue & White
• Gabby Schneider led all scorers with nine points on four goals and five assists
• Cecily Redfern also had three goals for Lehigh

 
UP NEXT
 The Hawks will look to avoid a third consecutive loss when in-state rival Rutgers comes to Kessler Stadium on Wednesday. Opening draw is set for 2 PM.