Month: August 2017

First Up Is Appalachian State Who Is 1-1

Appalachian State split their opening weekend in contrary fashion . Their first game and win came in Philadelphia with LaSalle. The stats were contrary indicators to the outcome. It was a 3-1 win where App State was outshot 9-13, and out cornered 3-10. But they found the back of the net when in counted and ended with the only statistic that mattered, 3-1 ahead on goals.

Sophomore Ali Williams scored 2  goals in the win taking 5 shots in the process. She is the hitter on corners, so I expect she is their most dangerous player. The Maryland native (number 14) can be expected to be their go to player.

That is borne out in the game with Georgetown, in which the Hoya dominated the scoreboard 8-0 over the visitors from Boone, NC.  Williams had no shots in a game that Appalachian State won the statistical battle, with 15 shots to 12 and 6-4 in penalty corners. Number 15 Taylor Cimblist a senior midfielder took 5 shots in the afternoon.

Second year coach Meaghan Dawson is no stranger to Lafayette, as she was an assistant at Bucknell before landing the Head Coach assignment at State. The game will be played on Saturday at 2 o’clock, and the weather prediction is for light rain for the first hour. The game is being played at JMU. App State will meet JMU on Friday afternoon.

Sunday Is JMU At 2 pm

James Madison is 2-0 as of this writing (August 30), having beaten Old Dominion in a shootout on their turf. Old Dominion got out to an early lead 2-0 in the first half and looked like they were about to coast to a win, but the JMU experience ( returned 9 of 11 starters) showed as they demonstrated a scrappy determination, tying the score in the second half, on two goals by Ashley Gippe. The first corner of the night did not occur until the second half as JMU tried a little deception by sending the ball  out to the hitter at the edge of the circle and passed it to side and back to the inserter. They were to try once more with a similar play, and finally tried  a direct hit on their third corner of the game.

Miranda Rigg (number 6) is their playmaker taking 9 shots on the evening, trying to add to her 2 goal performance against Liberty over the weekend. It was an offensive display all night, as ODU took 22 shots to JMU’s 23. There were only 7 penalty corners all game, all occurring in the second half of play. ODU had 4 and JMU had 3.   Rigg was all over the field and the former ice hockey player was clearly a big part of the JMU offense. She can shoot from any position on the field and as an inserter on corners is dangerous when they return the ball her. Defender Lisa Lejeune (number 22), was a force on defense.

One interesting turn of events was Head Coach Christy Morgan’s use of three goalkeepers. She started with the senior (number 29) Sara Kraeutler, switched to sophomore Kyler Zampiello for the second half and overtime, and most remarkably used freshman Caitlin Nelson (number 28) for the shootout.

JMU has now played two nationally ranked teams successfully. Lafayette lost to JMU last year 3-1 at Rappolt Field and looks to avenge last year’s game. Weather is predicted to be warmer (78 F). by game time at 2 pm Sunday.

Senior Rosie Shanks opened the scoring for 2017 with a touch off of a long pass from outside the scoring circle from Ellen Colbourne with 32:23 having been expended off the clock in the first half. This is the fourth year in a row that Shanks has scored in the opening weekend and the second time she found the back of the cage twice. Cody Hunsicker made the score 2-0 in the second half with a rocket off a corner with only 6:47 ticking off of the clock as her shot zipped past the Hofstra goalie. She was assisted by Ellen Colbourne who was her usual ubiquitous self, making her presence felt the entire game. Shanks finished her two goal night assisted by Lisa van der Geest in a scrum to the right of the cage with the coup de grace delivered deftly by Shanks into the far left corner.

Van der Geest was all over the field showing her leadership from the backfield and was a standout individually on defense often beginning play and defending against the Hofstra attack.

Possession was the hallmark of the evening as the Leopards collected 10 shots to 3 for the Hofstra Pride. It included 4 corners versus 2 for the visitors according to the scorekeeper. Meanwhile the Lafayette the goal keeper, Sarah Park got her shutout in her first start and minutes of her career. She stepped up for 2 saves in the effort.

The enthusiastic opening game crowd of 250, supplemented by a strong contingent from the Leopards Football team, was treated to a game that demonstrated the Leopards stick skills, as they dominated time in the offensive side of the field. Lafayette’s depth was evident as Coach Stone used her bench liberally. Stone was impressed with her team’s performance especially from those who have been asked to play new positions this year.

Freshman Grace Angelella took the first shot of the season early in the initial period, and was found around the goal all night. Midfield work by Theresa Delahanty and Kristen Taylor was exciting to watch. Ellen Colbourne’s speed was always a factor that warranted attention from Hofstra’s defense.

It seemed as though 80 percent of the time Lafayette was threatening and Hofstra was forced on their heels. It is Lafayette’s 8th win of the series and a rebound from last year’s 4-1 loss at the Pride’s home field.

Highlights of the goals can be seen on http://www.goleopards.com. The game was scheduled to be live streamed but a technical glitch prevented its broadcast despite extensive testing yesterday.

Leopards next travel to Harrisonburg, Va. for two games. The first will be on Saturday with Appalachian State, and second on Sunday with number 19 ranked JMU.

Lafayette will meet Hofstra at Rappolt Field on Friday at 7 pm as both teams face off for their first game of the season. The two teams met for the eleventh time last year in Hempstead resulting in a 4-1 win for the Pride. It was a game of momentum as Lafayette got out to an early 1-0 lead off a Magadan goal with less than 6 minutes ticked off the clock. But The Pride was to tie the score with minutes left in the first half deadlocking the game at 1-1.

While both teams came out strongly in the second half, it was Hofstra that was to take advantage and scored 3 goals, the last coming with less than 4 minutes remaining. Lafayette was on the short end of shots 10-18, making 8 saves vs 6. Hofstra also had more penalty corners leading 8-2 in that category getting five in the second period alone. They finished the year 9-10 overall and 1-5 in league play. That was last year.

Meg Lillis moves the ball upfield against Penn

Kristen Taylor chases down a Temple midfielder

Carolyn Turnbull lines up a shot late in game

This year they are a bit of a mystery. They return 12 players from last year but only 3 of those were starters last year. They will be led by graduate student Marloes Schavemaker ( a preseason all CAA selectee), senior goal keeper Carys Swan ( who was the back up keeper last year played in eight games with a 4 goal per game average and a 63.6 save percentage), and junior forward Madison Sauve who was the Pride’s leading scorer last year with five goals and five assists in nineteen starts.

Hofstra will start the season with one preseason game under their belt which I have not been able to find anything about. The rest of the team is a mystery, fielding 13 freshmen ( two of whom are red shirted from last year).

This could be a high scoring affair but one never knows. Possession will be the key to the game, as well as circle penetrations and corners, giving rise to scoring opportunities. The Leopard defense is experienced and strong which may give Lafayette a slight nod, but first games are hard to predict and this one seems, given uncertainties, especially difficult to handicap.

Both teams will have new goalies in the cage, with Pride co-captain Swan in that key role, having at least some time in the cage over the last several years. Hofstra is picked sixth  in the seven team CAA this year, but that is anybody’s guess given the new roster, and playing in a league with the National Champion (Delaware) on the league schedule. ( Lafayette also plays Delaware in October and plays JMU who is picked second in the CAA in the fourth game of the season).

If we knew the outcomes ahead of time, there would be no reason to play the game, as the saying goes. As a first game, this could be anyone’s game to win. Who will be more ready?!!

I understand the game will be live streamed on goleopards.com at 7pm EDT.

Running a flawless drill is not the same as an 11 v 11 game and in its first outing of the season it is clear that there is work to do in the coming days to be ready for the first game on the 25th against Hofstra. There is another 11 v 11 rehearsal on Monday against Columbia and I would bet it will be a different looking squad by then.

As the sun disappeared in the western sky, inexplicably the lights never lit up and by the time the teams got ready to practice shootouts, after a regulation “game “/scrimmage, and a ten minute overtime, I was wondering if we had to get the cars organized to shine on the field. But it was metaphorical, as the Leopards never quite lit up the field with play, although there were some individual moments. Ellen Colbourne took several shots from the field, including a number of reverse chip shots and drag flicks here and there, all sailing over the goal. I would guess those shots will be more on target as the season progresses, as will several opportunities by teammates close enough to the goal to deflect the ball to the back of the net. Colbourne was finding space and twice got into a scrum in front of the goal along with teammate Rosie Shanks.

Teammate and fellow co-captain Cody Hunsicker had at least one defensive save which has been her signature in previous seasons. Shanks as usual was in the mix, freshman Grace Angelella showed her speed on several occasions, Meg Lillis showed her strength on several 50-50 balls, Sam DiMaio was her ubiquitous self around the ball, and Lisa van der Geest showed great determination on defense along with Rachael Bird. The problem was, there was no coherent mix that put it all together tonight.

Breaking a high press, did present several fast break opportunities as Monmouth did overcommit at times, but the visitors showed more organized cohesiveness tonight. Monmouth who were champions of their league last year, traveled to Europe earlier in the summer and showed what an extra two weeks of practice can mean. Add to that a large contingent of seniors, 13 returning letterman, including 9 starters, and a goal keeper who was second in shutouts in Division one, and you have a squad that will challenge opponents early in this season. Monmouth opens on the 25th against Bucknell. That should be an interesting game.

Talking with the Lafayette team captains, they agreed there were things to build on and mistakes to correct in the coming days. They are grateful for the opportunity to fine tune themselves against Columbia, who just opened preseason this week. They were confident that progress will be obvious next Monday.

The first real, on the record game, is in one week and I would guess this weekend will not be one spent in reflection. Like the captains, I look forward to Monday, and not just because of the Eclipse…. although it would be nice to have the lights working by then.

Go Pards!

The Lafayette Field Hockey Team have elected three captains this year who have set goals to lead and motivate this group of already dedicated student athletes. As hard as preseason may be, once the season begins and 24/7 concentration on team formation is behind them, there will be the everyday distractions that student athletes will face. Aside from the obvious pressures of succeeding as a student that can be every bit as challenging as her responsibilities as an athlete, there are the social pressures that every young person faces. There will be sacrifices to be made and the team captains are not to be there as disciplinarians but peer leaders to remind their teammates they are just that…. a team with an overall goal.

This year the team will be led by three captains, two seniors and a junior. There is no doubt about their ability on the field, but all three have showed their willingness to demonstrate their devotion to team goals by example. Ellen Colbourne and Cody Hunsicker have had 4 years of success on the field and in the classroom, and have learned to prioritize and organize their lives as student athletes. No less dedicated is Junior Rachel Bird who already has shown her leadership on the field as a strong defender  and student.

All three are graduates of the Oaks Leadership Academy, which is an endowed program given by Cindy and Judd Linville in memory of her father Dr. Wilbur Oaks on the anniversary of his 60th year after  graduation from Lafayette. It is an ongoing program to teach student athletes on how to lead and the qualities of a successful leader. One student described the five elements of vocal leadership taught by the program.

1. The idea of a servant leader- a person who is there to  get their team through the tough times and rise above difficulty.
2. Confidence builder- To inspire confidence and lead their team past inevitable down periods
3. Refocuser- To rededicate the team to team goals when distracted by other events
4. Team Builder- To remind teammates of building a team attitude before self
5. Enforcer- speaking and reminding the team of their goals and rules to enable success.

All three have captured those ideas and have adopted specific goals to make a successful season. All three agreed on the need to score more goals. While that may seem obvious, there are elements of a disciplined game that get you to meet these goals. Cody Hunsicker mentioned  they must learn to avoid turnovers, and keep in mind the benefits of maintaining possession. Ellen Colbourne will remind the team to respect every opponent and never take victory for granted. Rachel Bird stressed the need to support and work together to meet team goals.

For the two senior captains, they have dedicated themselves not to leave any regrets on the field. This is their last shot as student athletes, and they want to make the most of it. Rachel Bird affirmed the senior’s goals and said she and the rest of the team would like to do it for them.

I asked the three captains about the newest Leopards, and they were enthusiastic. “They fit into our culture and everyone understands they have to learn a lot in a short period of time”. They were excited by the potential additional talent, and enthusiasm the freshmen bring to practice and eventually to games.

Ellen Colburne will be a student mentor and an intern during the new Oaks Academy sessions. A prestigious assignment!!

It is about two weeks until the opening whistle, and I asked what game are they looking forward to. They all answered, ” The next game always. We always focus on the coming game.”

They will have two preseason games to start putting it all altogether against Hoftra on the 25th. Thursday night the Leopards will take on Monmouth at 6 pm at Rappolt Field and next week there will be the last rehearsal against Columbia.

Yesterday the team turned into fans as they drove out to Spooky Nook to watch the US team and ex teammate Amanda Magadan take on the Candadian National team ( who had several ex-teammates of many of our Leopards). The US got a come from behind 2-1 win in an exciting match of skill, fitness, and strategy. Before that our Leopards were treated to lunch by Meg Lillis’ and her parents at her nearby home.

Back to work today!!!

Preseason is always a trial, a trial of stamina, a trial of skills, and a trial of teamwork. Only three days in, and already this team seems to be coming together. After two days of hard, difficult work, Coach Stone decided to let her foot off the gas pedal, and start to work on strategy and teamwork in a workout she characterized as “light.” There was very little standing around as the practice session was one of precision, as each segment was carefully planned out and orchestrated.

While field players worked on separates skills and patterns under the tutelage of Coaches Stone and Janice, Coach Sarah Dalrymple put the goalies through their paces. They joined the team halfway through the afternoon, participating in a combined live drill. If there was an emphasis on this day, it was echoed by Stone numerous times…” make the pass you have not the pass you want.”  She was stressing the need to not force passes that often leads to interceptions, and changes of possession.

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The veterans had an advantage as they knew and trusted their teammates already, but as the afternoon wore on, connections were starting to emerge as the first year players began to feel their place on the field. Patterns were more than just triangles, but movement and speed became part of the play.

At the end of practice the team played a game where the ball was bounced to them at the top of the circle. Divided into two teams they competed to see which team would get the ball to goal more consistently. It appears there are a number of competitions throughout the season and it is recorded to see which team prevails by the end.

After the final whistle, the team got in a circle for a self critique, to exam what they can improve upon. They came up with a list of things that could be worked on in the coming days. However, praise was also in order, as they named a player for particular effort that day. Today, it was freshman Grace Angelella. ( I wouldn’t disagree). That doesn’t mean there weren’t other good performances. Lisa Van der Geest not only looked fit, but was playing with extraordinary confidence……not good news for opponents in the future. She is on a mission, as she was the last player to leave the turf, practicing her shot on the sideline with Lola Dada.

Rosie Shanks and Ellen Colbourne looked in sync as they practiced in front of the goal while Audrey Sawer got better, and looked imposing as the afternoon wore on. In the end, I was impressed. Not because  this was a finished product, but what this team could be when the season begins. The team’s first exposure to competition comes next week on August the 17th at Rappolt Field against Monmouth for a preseason game at 6 pm.

The players really didn’t want to leave the field, which shows the kind of desire growing within the Leopards. Tomorrow is another practice day, and Sunday they will spend their time off traveling to the Pan Am Games in Lancaster, as the US will have a rubber match with Canada for the bronze medal. The last game between Canada and the US ended in a tie. No doubt there will be mixed emotions from team Lafayette. ( I asked Lafayette co-captains and native Canadians Rachel Bird and Ellen Colbourne who they would root for and without hesitation they blurted out CANADA, but  hoped former teammate Amanda Magadan had a good game. There was no doubt Co-Captain Cody Hunsicker was rooting for the  Red, White, and Blue and pulling for Magadan).

Addendum: There are some changes coming to the athletic venue this season, stay tuned and perhaps I will be able to reveal all, after the game on the 17th. But it is exciting!!

Next up is a conversation with our new co-captains, Junior Rachel Bird, Seniors Ellen Colbourne and Cody Hunsicker!!

In 1917 the first american troops arrived in France. Eventually the whole force paraded through Paris. The American commanders stopped at the grave of the Marquis de Lafayette and exclaimed the words, “Nous voila,Lafayette.” Lafayette we are here, announcing the return of the favor extended by the Marquis in his support and participation in the American War of Independence. The quote was originally ascribed to General Pershing, but in fact it was actually uttered by LTCOL Charles Stanton. “Lafayette we are here,” could have been said earlier today as 24 field hockey athletes, along with their retinue of parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters arrived for preseason. Collectively the group  traveled over 10,000 miles to arrive at the college established after the Revolutionary war hero’s triumphant tour of the United States in the 1820’s.

As always, especially for our first year team members and their parents,  it is a poignant moment. I detected a few hidden tears, but certainly there was pride as these young women ( and yes their parents) begin their passage into another phase of life.

The day started with the mundane tasks of move in. Keys were acquired, ID’s issued, and the these student athletes arranged their new home for at least the next year. The players had the support of the more senior players who have been here before. All had arrived last saturday, renewing friendships, getting together with  captain’s practices, and ,many trekked out to Spooky Nook to watch Amanda Magadan, Lafayette graduate, and the U.S. women’s team play the Canadian National Team. Several members of the Lafayette team who reside in Canada, had also played with members of the Canadian National Team.  So there was an interesting clash of allegiances.The game would be a 1-1 tie with Amanda scoring the only US goal on a redirect with only one minute run off the clock.

After a terrific brunch hosted by the upper class parents, the players moved off for the requisite physicals, pictures in their new uniforms, and a first team dinner. Tomorrow is the first day of real practice and points to a pre-season game on the 17th at 6pm at Rappolt Field with Monmouth University..

As the players moved on, the parents were treated to a low key reception at the iconic Lafayette College Hill Tavern (CHT) a favorite of students and alumni alike as long as I can remember.

Coach Stone briefly explained her relationships with her athletes and parents, while Josh Azer ( Executive Director of the Maroon Club), praised the parents as stedfast supporters over the years.  Many started the ball rolling continuing that  tradition. Your writer also added a few passing comments. The administrative requirements taken care of, no doubt all will be looking  forward to tomorrow’s first day on the turf as the 2017 Field Hockey Leopards.

I will be covering preseason practices right here, probably keeping a respectful distance until friday or saturday.

Coach Stone published, for the first time, a full description of her incoming class and it is intriguing. It is a geographically diverse class with home addresses ranging from Germany to Illinois, from Western Canada to New Jersey, Ireland to Maryland, with a little local Pennsylvania to keep us grounded. On the other side of the graduation ceremony is alumnus Amanda Magadan continuing to impress, following her starting efforts for the United States Women’s Field Hockey Team in South Africa, qualifying for the World Cup next spring.

Hockey fans will get a chance to catch this Lafayette all- american in action at the national training center over the coming week, in the Pan Am games right here in Pennsylvania. You can get an update and directions to Spooky Nook online at the USA Field Hockey website.

The honors keep coming for Amanda, as she has been selected as the Patriot League’s nomination for NCAA woman of the year!!! So for those you who are real fans and can’t get enough, you have a choice between new leopards and alumni veterans, college division one hockey, or international hockey at the highest level.

Getting some real info on the freshman class just wetted our appetite for the season to begin. With an August 8th report date fast approaching, I am sure the players are just as excited as I am.

I had previously previewed some of the class during the early signing period last fall. However, there has been some additional names, and more information. Overall here are some factoids. There are four players who are at least 5’6′ with two at about 5’11.” All have a state and some even some national recognition in their resume.

Lola Dada was the latest addition, and will give us talented depth at goal keeper. She comes from Parkville Md, and the Bryn Mawr school for girls. She was a four year starter on a team that make to the IAAM quarterfinals. She is multi talented, playing softball, and throwing the discus and shot put for her track and field team garnering a fifth in her local championships. Like all our recruits, she a scholar and will major in neuroscience.

Audrey Sawers is joining our already visible North Vancouver contingent. She was a starter for five years on her hockey club at midfield and was named MVP and first all star in her provincial games. An all around athlete she played basketball and soccer for her school. She even found time to contribute to her track and field team. She will major in economics.

Anna Steps comes from Germany beginning her hockey career at Rahlistedter Hockey Club. She played on the Klipper Club placing second and third in her state championships several times. They were German Champions in 2015. She will major in psychology. Ana will be flying in from Hamburg.

Some additional facts, Greta Kulby’s father played soccer for Lafayette for two years before transferring to Wisconsin. Her mother played soccer at Xavier and her brother completes the Division one lineage as a soccer player at South Carolina.

The entire class can be found at http://www.goleopards.com.