Magadan plays key role in win
The US picked up the first 3 points in FIH competition Saturday night by beating number 10 ranked China 3-1. It was the defense that was the deciding factor as they turned away China’s 13 corner opportunities. It was the nine corners in the first half that were turned away that set the tone for the evening. China had four corners in first quarter alone. It was that corner defense that stood tall for the large home crowd that cheered them on all night long. Kelsey Bing , the US goalie, was credited with 17 saves and was named MVP of the game. Janneke Schoopman, the US Coach was pleased with her team’s performance, saying she believed all along we’d have a chance against this Chinese team and declared after the contest, “Sometimes it falls your way and today it did.”
Lafayette alumnus Amanda Magadan started the game and played key roles on at least two goals. On the second goal by Laurean Moyer she was able to bring the ball forward and slip the ball to Anna Dessoye who found Moyer in front of the goal for the score. Magadan was all over the field playing her usual game, countering the hard physical play of the Chinese.
The first goal was scored by Dessoye as the ball got behind the Chinese goalkeeper after a hard shot by Captain Kat Sharkey and Dessoye was there for the tap in. The most dangerous score in hockey is a 2 goal lead, but it was the third quarter goal that was to make the crowd less anxious. That third goal was a rocket at 5:37 in the third quarter, which Linnea Gonzales delivered, to put the game away and making it 3-0. China was to score in the fourth, but were unable to do more, giving the Red, White and Blue the victory.
I spoke briefly with Simon Hoskins, the Executive Director of USA Field Hockey before the game. He praised Amanda Magadan saying how pleased he was to have her on the team. ” She can play any position on the field and her competitive spirit is a great asset.”
It was a fine endorsement for Amanda, which was echoed by Head Coach Shoopmann on other occasions. Amanda mentioned to me that she will be at the Lafayette Camps this summer to help coach and promote the game. It will be an opportunity to take advantage of her attendance, and meet this fine athlete and outstanding graduate of Lafayette College and pick up some pointers in the process..
Some PL Schools Have Published Schedules
Boston U’s Schedule is out, and Lafayette will play them in Beantown at 12 on Oct 5. They will play UConn before us and Penn on the 6th. They will be playing Princeton at BU on the 20th
Bucknell has published their schedule and they will meet Lafayette at Lafayette On Oct 26. They will play Colgate before our game and Penn State after.
Temple has us at Lafayette on Oct 13 at 1 pm
Colgate has just. posted their schedule they will be in Easton Sept 28 @ 12 pm
Liberty just posted their schedule and Lafayette will be in Lynchburg Va on Sunday Sept 8 at noon
Penn has posted and we will play them at Penn on Oct 27 at 2 pm
App State had us on their schedule on Friday Sept 6 at 7pm in Lynchburg, so a weekend in Lynchburg with two games.
Monmouth will be Easton Sunday Sept 29 at 2pm!!
Holy Cross Sept 21 1 pm @ Lafayette ( recognition of 1999 PL champions
Providence will be at Lafayette on September 13 at 7 pm
I will keep a lookout as schedules get published. The only other schedule I saw was Maryland’s and Princeton’s and we are not on either. American will meet JMU at Maryland on Oct the 13th and will play Maryland on Oct 29 at American.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 