It was a complete team effort as Lafayette dug deep and defeated the the Bulldogs 3-2 at Yale. Yale came into the game 2-0 and the Leopards were 2-1 as both teams showed their best and in the end Lafayette ended with the win. Yale is a good team and they played energetically, but the Maroon and White turned them away when they needed to and scored on their excellent goalie with a persistent 14 shot effort.
The scoring was spread around to three different players with Rosa Jonckheer opening the scoring in the first half, helped by a solid assist from senior Aliza Furneaux who is establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with at mid-field. The second goal came in the second half from junior Rosie Shanks assisted by Ami Turner. It was Shank’s 3rd goal of the season. The piece de resistance was to come from senior Aliza Furneaux with an assist from freshman Cameron Costello to make the score 3-1 at that point.
In the meantime, Yale was not going to go down easily as they tied the score once in the first half, and after the Leopards had extended their lead to 3-1, made it closer with a second goal, off a corner in the second half. But it was the Leopard defense that shut down Yale in the last quarter of the game preserving a well deserved win, earning the 3-1 record to date. Theressa Delahanty had several good plays as she has now has come back from some chronic injuries this spring and preseason.
It was generally conceded that most teams press, and try to be physical with Lafayette, but this year they do it at their peril. Amanda Magadan controls the field of play, even while attracting double and triple teaming, and the emergence of Furneaux, Turner and Costello, today, make doubling or triple teaming anyone a dangerous strategy.
The Leopards have many weapons and as this season progresses are getting deeper, and more skilled. Arnold is solid in the goal and has come up with important saves when there is a rare shot from the opposing offense.
Tomorrow, the Leopards will meet Quinnipiac who is undoubtably better than their 0-5 record. Lafayette will be facing a desperate team as they try to turn their disappointing start around. Desperate teams can be dangerous teams. The Leopards will be playing on the same field that they played on today as the Bobcats have started reconstruction of their home turf. It will be a test of fitness as Quinnipiac played on friday losing to Vermont 2-1.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 