The Leopards travel to Philadelphia to the home field of the University of Pennsylvania to play four challenging games against quality opponents. The day will begin at 9:40 with a game against the host University of Pennsylvania. Outside of Lehigh, the Leopards have played Penn more than any other team in their history. However, they have not appeared on the regular season schedule for two years. Coached by 8th year coach Colleen Fink, the Quakers last year amassed a record of 11-6 while 4-3 in the Ivy League. They averaged 2.591 goals per game but giving up 2.24 goals per game. They return 19 players including second team all american Alexa Hoover #7. While only 5’2″ she has scorched opponents for 15 goals last year, becoming Penn’s all-time leading scorer. Penn played only one Patriot League opponent last year, Lehigh which they beat 2-1.
The next game is a familiar foe, the Brown and White from Lehigh, scheduled for 11am. Two weeks ago the Leopards beat the Mountain Hawks 2-1. Last year they finished with 6-11 season for first year coach Caitlyn Dallmeyer. They scored 1.65 goals per game and gave up 2.71 goals per game. They will return 15 players for the 2017 season.
After a long break Lafayette will play Syracuse for the their toughest game of the day at 2:20 pm The Orange had a 15-4 record last year, while registering a 4-2 record in the ACC. They return only 13 players but it will include three all americans. Lies Lagerweij is a 6′ 1″ back and will wear number 21. Roos Weir, also a back is 5’10” and will wear number 16. Laura Hurff is the third all american and is a midfielder wearing number 14 and is 5’4″. Head Coach Angie Bradley is in her 18th year and has a national championship trophy in her office. Syracuse averaged 3.53 goals per game and their stout defense only allowed 1.37 goals per game. Syracuse played and beat Patriot League foes Bucknell (4-3) and Boston U (2-1).
The last game, a 7 v 7 affair, begins at 3:40 and pitches our Leopards with the Lions of Columbia. Columbia is led by second year coach Caroline Nelson-Nichols. Columbia had an 8-9 record last year with a 2-5 Ivy record. They will return 17 players including all region defender Maive Doherty wearing #8. She was the second leading scorer on the team. The Lions averaged 2.94 goals per game and gave up 3.29 goals per game. Columbia beat Patriot League rival Holy Cross 5-2 last year and lost to Bucknell 4-3.
The first three games will actually be 1/2 games at 35 minutes while the 7 v7 will last 15 minutes.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 