For the past several weeks training for Lafayette Field Hockey has consisted of strength and conditioning and indoor games to break the monotony. Using the indoor facilities of Kirby Field house can be fun and different but the game is all about playing on the turf. The temperatures on the east coast are mild and the near 70 degree weather gave the team the perfect environment to return to the friendly confines of Rappolt Field.
The first spring competition is scheduled for March 26 with round robin games at Lafayette with Lehigh, Temple and Cornell. It is during that month of practice that the coaches will begin to reshape the existing team for next year. They will especially be looking at replacing seniors at midfield and goalie. The defense looks fairly solid and deep, but both goalies on the team have seen no action in real games. The spring will be an opportunity for both to get plenty of playing time and observation by the coaching staff.
The is no doubt we will see several rising sophomores in the midfield and a chance for juniors to shine as well. Although several players will be in new positions by the end of the spring, we should see the players come together as a team. As a fan, the goal for me is to see this team better than the sum of it’s parts.
According to Coach Stone the team is healthy and should be at its best during outdoor drills. Going outdoors is always a morale builder and should lead to intense practices.
I will try to attend some of the practices and certainly the spring games to see what our 2017 Leopards look like.
Meanwhile, recruiting goes on and I am hearing there will be at least one addition to the class announced in the fall, and perhaps one more. Spring signing is in April so we will have to wait to see what our incoming class looks like in whole.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 