DiConza, Hunt Garner Patriot League awards after race win

BETHLEHEM, Pa. After a 15-3 victory over rival Lafayette in both teams’ league opener, two members of the Lehigh women’s lacrosse team received Patriot League weekly awards on Monday. Junior Hayley Hunt he was recognized as Patriot League Goaltender of the Week and Second Goaltender of the Year Julia DiConza was selected as defensive player of the week.

Both Hunt and DiConza were instrumental in a strong defensive effort that limited Lafayette to just three goals as Lehigh won its sixth straight game overall and ninth straight against the Leopards.

DiConza caused a turnover and picked off two ground balls as Lehigh limited Lafayette to its season-low total. Lehigh’s defense caused 14 of Lafayette’s 20 turnovers, and the Mountain Hawks limited the Leopards to just 11-of-19 in turnovers.

On the season, DiConza has started all seven games on defense and has seven caused turnovers and six ground balls. Defensively, the Mountain Hawks allow just 7.29 goals per game.

Hunt had six saves in his 54+ minutes of action on Saturday. He also caused a turnover and caught three ground balls.

The Patriot League’s preseason goaltender of the year, Hunt currently owns a 7.91 goals-against average and a .511 save percentage with 48 saves in seven games this season.

Defensively, the Mountain Hawks out-rebounded the Leopards in two of four quarters in Saturday’s game. The three goals allowed by Lehigh were the fewest in a competitive game since the Brown and White scored three in a 5-3 victory in 1980.

Lehigh has won its last six games and held opponents to single-digit goals in five of those six wins, including three opponents by five goals or fewer.

Junior at the attacking end of the field Olivia Memeger earned honorable mention after scoring a game-high six points on three first-half goals and three assists.

The Mountain Hawks conclude their four-game road trip Saturday with a visit to No. 9 Loyola. The drawing will take place at noon at the Ridley Athletic Complex in Baltimore.