The Leopards followed a disappointing loss the previous, day by making the two hour trip to the University of Albany, losing 4-0 where there were moments of encouragement but ultimately not being able to solve the Albany pressure especially in the first half. Albany scored 3 first half goals on penalty corners, the first coming at 16:08 into the game on a broken play. Most of the play in that half was in the Leopard defensive side of the field as Albany was able to turn back and counter Lafayette attempts to transition to other side of the field. Perhaps it was the grind of almost 1,000 miles on a bus and the short turn around, but the Leopards gave up the last two goals of the half game near the end of the half at 32:50 and after time had expired on penalty corners. The result was a 3-0 deficit.
The second half was better for the Leopards ,if only for the fact that they withstood 17 shots mainly on the outstanding work by senior captain and goalie Katelyn Arnold who turned away 11 shots in probably her best day of the season. The Danes did manage a goal at 42:35 from the field ,which ended scoring. Lafayette did have a chance to put a mark on the board with no time left in the game on a corner opportunity of their own. They managed two shots during that corner as every field player moved up to help, to no avail.
Throughout the game the Albany Danes were able to thwart the Leopards clearing of the ball and were able to double and triple team, shutting off space. When Lafayette was able to deliver long passes there were several opportunities that could not get converted to goals.
It is fall break at Lafayette and the Leopards will return home to lick their wounds but are still at 7-5 and 2-1 in league play, tied with Boston University. As far as post season play goes, their fate is in their hands ( or sticks in this sport). They meet the Patriot League leader at home this Saturday and can regain first place with a win and enhance their chances to host the Patriot League tournament. They follow that game with a game on Sunday with JMU before traveling to Bucknell next week for another league game and perhaps an opportunity to wrap up qualifying for the post season. Lehigh is the last contest which could prove to be important, depending on the outcome of the other games.
Defender Rachel Bird did not dress due to a sprain, and Rosa Jonckheer is still nursing sore shins. Hopefully, as the season nears its climax we will see them both return to the turf soon.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 