On August the 3rd I wrote I would write the truth and say when the team did not play up to their abilities. This time I need only quote many of the Lafayette players, “We can play better.” They have six days to make sure that their passes are more accurate, their tackling more aggressive and their field sense is improved. There is a better team in there, I believe they will find it in the coming days.
There were some bright spots. Amanda Magadan showed her skill on the field that made her a player with national team abilities. Kaitlyn Arnold was very sharp as she and Gabby Ulery held Rutgers scoreless for a half. Lisa Van der Geest played well at the center back position playing excellent defense and delivering some accurate passes downfield.
The second bright spot was that everyone played in the game, every freshman, sophomore, junior and senior had a chance to be observed by the coaching staff in real time and certainly on tape later on.
Rutgers is an experienced team with a full class of eight seniors including several redshirts. They played with a coordinated manner knowing where their teammates are on the field, a characteristic the Leopards will need to establish.
Lafayette did not get caught in the Rutgers press and cleared the ball very well. However, Rutgers did manage to dominate time on the Lafayette side of the field while collecting 13 corners in the process.
Next week, Columbia will provide the last of rehearsal opponents before they are into the regular season. I sincerely believe next week will be a different story.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 