Lehigh Breaks Open Tight Game in Fourth Quarter, Downs Women’s Lax 15-8

Wednesday, March 27

Bethlehem, Pa.

6 p.m.

Bucknell University

3-6 (1-2PL)

Lehigh

6-3 (2-1PL)

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
BUCKNELL	2	2	2	2	8
Lehigh	4	3	2	6	15

Photo by: Lianne Garrahan

Lehigh Breaks Open Tight Game in Fourth Quarter, Downs Women’s Lax 15-8

3/27/2024 8:53:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh's high-scoring attack trio of Olivia Memeger, Emma Eberhardt, and Gabby Schneider accounted for 13 goals as the host Mountain Hawks used a big fourth-quarter flurry to pull away from Bucknell 15-8 on Wednesday night at rainy Ulrich Sports Complex. Taylor Kopan scored two goals, and Phoebe Macleod, Taylor McClain, Allie Boyce, and Alex Nesbitt all recorded a goal and an assist for the Bison, who dropped to 3-6 overall and 1-2 in the Patriot League.

Lehigh, now 6-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play, received six goals from the senior Memeger, five from graduate student Eberhardt, and two goals and three assists from grad student Schneider. Senior goalie Hayley Hunt also played a starring role with 14 saves, as the Mountain Hawks won despite being outshot by Bucknell 30-21.

The Bison played a very strong game for three quarters against a veteran squad on its home turf. Bucknell trailed 7-4 at the half after Boyce's goal with nine seconds remaining, and then Boyce picked up a ground ball on a failed Lehigh clear and made a great feed to Macleod to start the second-half scoring just 2:32 in.

Phoebe Macleod makes it a two-goal game! The Bison turn defense to offense here and we've got a close one in Bethlehem. #rayBucknell

Watch: https://t.co/azSwh61QYc @ESPN | @PatriotLeagueTV pic.twitter.com/YKOhSK5zf2
— Bucknell Women's Lax (@Bucknell_WLAX) March 27, 2024

After Grace Martel scored for Lehigh, Abby Henderson converted from the 8-meter arc to make it an 8-6 game with 2:02 left in the third.

The Mountain Hawks took control from there, however, as Memeger's free-position goal with 39 seconds left in the period ignited a six-goal run. Memeger scored twice more in the fourth quarter, and by the time Schneider scored into a vacated net with 3:30 to go, Lehigh had a 14-6 lead.

Bucknell broke its drought on a sensational play by Macleod, who intercepted a pass at midfield and then fed Nesbitt for a transition goal. Then 26 seconds later, Nesbitt assisted on a goal from Taylor McClain.

Eberhardt finished the scoring with Lehigh's third empty-netter of the quarter with 30 seconds left.

Lehigh came into the game ranked in the top-10 nationally in draw control percentage, but the Bison held their own in this one. The Mountain Hawks finished with a 15-11 edge, with a number of their wins coming on violations in the circle. Aliza Thir and Katie Browne led Bucknell with four draw controls apiece.

Bucknell's difficult road swing continues on Saturday at No. 17 Navy. Game time is 3 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium.