Simone Hefting And Jenn DeLongis Provide The Difference With Important Goals
Lafayette has now played 3 overtime games and finally put all that experience to work, coming up with the win in a hard fought game that saw intensity on both sides of the field. The first half was pretty even with Lafayette getting off 3 shots to Richmond’s 1. In addition it was my observation Lafayette had time of possession as well. In addition, the Leopards had the only penalty corners in those first two quarters.
In the previous two games this season with Bucknell and Lehigh, Richmond came from behind putting on a big push in the second half and overtime with Bucknell. This game looked familiar as the Spiders were to get off 7 shots in the second half and holding off the Leopards with no shots. Richmond had 4 corners in the third quarter.
It was Sarah Park who provided the heroics, especially in the second half and overtime. She had one save in the 2nd quarter and the 3rd, and it was in the fourth and over time period, she came up with additional 5 saves, 3 in the overtime period alone.
Jenn DeLongis scored first in the 2nd quarter with a beautiful deflection delivered off a shot from fellow seniors Caroline Turnbull and Cam Costello. Richmond’s answer came in the third on a corner as well. The next shot to be taken by Lafayette was a direct blast from Simone Hefting 3 minutes into the overtime as the Goal Keeper went down to block. Hefting found space between the GK and the left post to put a definitive end to the game.
It seemed to me the team played with awareness on the field of their teammates and more confidently. That is not to say there could be improvement and I am sure there will be. Saturday marks the beginning of the Patriot League season and for all intents and purposes it marks the real beginning to qualifying for the playoffs.
Coach Stone was pleased with her team’s effort and is well aware of the upcoming game with Holy Cross, who have recently played Lafayette very competitively. ” We have played a difficult string of opponents, ” she remarked, noting that it prepares the Leopards for the rest of season,,,,especially the Patriot League foes. So next Saturday Sept. 21st at Rappolt Field is where the Patriot League challenge begins!!
Lafayette College Field Hockey 