Lehigh women’s soccer beats St. Joe’s 3-2

Freshman midfielder Sabrina Mertz is continuing a dominant start to her Lehigh women’s soccer career.

Mertz scored another two goals as Lehigh fought back to win 3-2 against Saint Joseph’s University on Sunday afternoon.

It was the second time Mertz scored twice in a game, the first of which was in the season opener against Mount St. Mary’s University. Her first goal was fired back from a difficult angle, but the freshman did not hesitate and got the result she was looking for.

“She has been unreal,” senior midfielder Katie Centeno said. “This is her third goal of the weekend and she has really been on fire. She’s been such a contributor to the team and it’s really cool to see a freshman step up and show no fear.”

Lehigh (4-2-1) got off to a bit of a slow start, however. At the 15:43 mark, Saint Joe’s junior Emily Gingrich scored a corner kick, giving the team a 1-0 lead. But being down a goal was exactly what Lehigh needed to come back strong.

Mertz then scored her first goal at the 25:51 mark. With a competitive fight from sophomore forward/midfielder Lexi Chang, who placed the ball in the perfect position for her teammate, Mertz was able to score her second goal 32 minutes into the second half.

“Lexi really created the whole goal,” Mertz said. “She hustled to get that and really set me up perfectly to score it. I was just there at the right time and place but that goal was created because of her.”

Mertz and Centeno talked about the team’s chemistry and the positive effect it has on the field.

“Our team has just been great as a whole,” Centeno said. “We all are on the same page about things and it is really nice to see everything getting along and coming together because it really affects how we play on the field, and it’s been good.”

Mertz added that the senior class has led the way for them, motivating the team before each game and acting as the leaders who make sure the group stays on the same page. She also said they help out tremendously on the field.

“Our team chemistry has been phenomenal,” she said.  “You can tell that it affects how we play together. We always say ‘26- deep’ because so many people can go out there and really do something. Everyone is important and has a part.”

Senior goalkeeper Ani Nahapetian had some game changing stops, finishing with an impressive six saves. Sophomore forward Grace Correll contributed to the lead, scored an insurance goal that put Lehigh up 3-1.

“I am so proud and happy for Grace, that goal really did get her confidence back up and she was patient and ready when the opportunity came.” Centeno said.

St. Joe’s responded with a goal at the 80:12 mark, but it wouldn’t be enough for them to come back.

“I love the girls,” senior midfielder Madi Morgan said. “Everyone is on board with what we need to do and that just makes it so much easier when we play because we are all fighting and striving for one goal, a Patriot League Championship.”

The Mountain Hawks said they look forward to playing the team who knocked them out of the playoffs last season, College of the Holy Cross, on Saturday at 5 p.m.