Month: October 2016

This saturday, Lafayette will play another homecoming game with a Patriot League rival, Holy Cross. The Leopards will arrive with a 7-3 record and will defend a 2-0 league record. Holy Cross has a 5-5 record with a 1-2 league record. So why be wary? This is a team that has been improving under Head Coach Lindsay Jackson. Last year, against the Leopards they  had a remarkable come from behind victory (aided by an unusual 10 minute yellow card against Lafayette), and this year, they are just as tough in the second half coming from behind in several games and winning several overtime games. Holy Cross didn’t quite make the playoffs last year, missing on a tie breaker with Lafayette and Bucknell. This game could be decided on emotion as well as skill. The two teams have one common opponent in the conference, Colgate, who Holy Cross beat in overtime, after knotting the score late in the second period. In out of conference games, there is another common opponent, Fairfield which Holy Cross beat 4-3 in overtime while the Leopards beat Fairfield 3-2 in the first game of the season.

Holy Cross is led by Maureen Conolly who is leading the league in shots and goals. However,  Emily Loprete scored two goals in the Colgate game. In last sunday’s contest Temple won, scoring two goals in the second half to defeat the Crusader’s two to nil. Holy Cross’ two league losses came at the hands of American and Lehigh.

The statistics may reveal more. Offensive production is similar, in that Lafayette has scored 1.9 goals per game vs. Holy Cross’ 1.8. But in goals against, the Leopards have only let in 1.9 while the Crusaders have let in 2.6. Lafayette has the stronger schedule with field hockey corner ranking Holy Cross  SOS next to last in division one.

However, Lafayette should not take them lightly, a loss for the Crusaders would put Holy Cross in a very difficult position, with 3 losses and Boston and Bucknell left to play in the league. A win by the Leopards would put them in great position to make at the playoffs , but  also sets up a showdown with American next week, and an ability to make a statement on where the playoffs will be.

So the bottom line for the Leopards is play good defense, watch out for Loprete and Conolly, take advantage of scoring opportunities, and carry that winning attitude for the whole game because this team will not go to sleep in the second half.

Unfortunately, again there will be no video for the game.

Since there was no video during the match here is the first minute and twenty seconds .

Cold efficiency was the impression left to me at Colgate’s Tyler Field by the end of a game that saw the Leopards beat the Raiders 4-0. As predicted, it was a cool and cloudy upper New York fall day. The leaves were just about to change but had not really begun their customary cacophony of color for this time of year. For me, the five hour trip by car left plenty of time to think of previous trips to Hamilton, New York and the challenges faced by a homecoming Colgate. My fears not withstanding, by the time the Leopards got into mid game  I could sit and enjoy this team that is beginning to show real cohesiveness.

Yes it took 20 shots to score 4 goals ( a respectable 20 per cent rate of success), but it also took Colgate 9 saves or it would have been even more one sided. After a start, where the Leopards looked as  if they would match Colgate’s slowing of the pace, they began to pick it up as they became self inspired by the leadership on the field. Ellen Colbourne’s speed and skill were never defensively solved by the Raiders while Amanda Magadan dodged and  weaved through the defense. Lisa Van der Geest delivered the ball with a skill not often seen in first year players. Meg Lillis  and Aliza Furneaux showed strength in moving the ball through the defense.

It took 28 minutes before the Leopard’s were to find their Mojo when first year player Sam Di Maio scored the first goal in a redirection of an Ellen Coulbourne assist. One minute and a half later Cody Hunsicker delivered a rocket to the cage on a corner assisted by Ellen Colbourne and Amanda Magadan.  At that point in the game one got the impression this game was under control. The first half saw 13 Leopard shots to Colgate’s 3 with most of the action on Colgate’s half of the field. The addition of 8 corners which included Hunsicker’s goal was  more evidence of Leopard domination.

The action picked up in the second half, and although the Leopards were not to earn any corners in the half, their pace and efficiency were about to seal the deal. Ami Turner at 43:41 found herself in perfect position in front of the goal to receive a pass from Liza Welch and scored the third goal. The  piece de resistance was left to captain Amanda Magadan who received a beautiful pass from Ami Turner in full sprint at midfield. Amanda then found herself one on one with the Colgate goalie and deftly placed a shot in cage at 63:50, finishing the scoring for the day.

Four goals with four different players was only part of explaining this team effort. Kristen Taylor made several good efforts as did Rachel Bird. Rosie Shanks was in the mix on several occasions. The game ended with several attempts by Colgate close to the goal but, the team came together to preserve the second shutout of the season for senior goalkeeper  and captain Kate Arnold.

With an unblemished Patriot League record the Leopards will travel next week to Holy Cross to avenge last years 4-3 loss. They now sit tied with American University and ready for the next road challenge in Worcester, Mass.