This blog has been silent for the last several weeks, but the field hockey world marches on, and Lafayette and the Patriot League are no exception. But first I’ll catch up on my own activities over the recent past. First, Pam and I, welcomed a new addition, Bailey, an energetic and athletic Black Lab to our family. We forgot how much work a new puppy brings with her as we chase her around the house making sure our furniture and rugs survive this little one’s puppyhood. She will see her first field hockey game on March 29 against LaSalle at 1 pm. She loves people, balls, and exercise. She’d make a great midfielder given her. speed and elusiveness, but I suspect neither the stick or the ball would survive her attacking style!!!
Meanwhile, I have been busy with US Field Hockey looking for a good site for US Field Hockey’s new training headquarters. There is a plethora of opportunities as the organization brings nearly 25,000 hotel room rents in a given year. There is no shortage of opportunities. We are looking at the right combination of location, field quality, transportation access, employment opportunities as well as educational opportunities for our national team. It is a challenging exercise being run by Simon Hoskins Executive Director along with three of us from the US Field Hockey Board and Foundation, but the interest is encouraging and I feel it will be a successful search.
The Patriot League continues to add to their rosters. Since my last communication, PL coaches have not stopped trying to improve their rosters. Lehigh has added four, Jenny Caroni who will join 2 others at GK. She is from Bronxville, New York, Emily Mars a MF from nearby Strousberg, Pa, Bailie Sunderaland a field player from Virginia Beach, and Maeve Hierholzer a defender from New Jersey will round out the Lehigh freshmen class.
Holy Cross has added four to the four I already cited. It looks like they were looking to boost their offensive impact. Katie Guchen is a player that scored 116 points in High School, Allie McDonough struck for 61 goals at her school in Mass. Sarah Potter is a forward from North Reading, Mass. Meaghan Noon is defender also from Mass.
I did not see any additions from Colgate, Boston or American. but Bucknell has two additions, Sydney Paganos a striker from St.Louis, and Guguethu Sibana from Zimbabwe.
I would not rule out additions to the Lafayette roster in the coming months. Meantime the team is preparing for a full spring of competitions. Sunday March 29 Lafayette will host LaSalle at 1 pm, followed by an April 5 tournament at Penn State (TBD). On Saturday April 18, at the University Delaware, there will another tournament, followed by a home contest with Albany on April 19th at 2 pm and on April 25th there will be tilt at Rappolt Field at 11:30 with Drexel.
Lafayette returns a number of starters and many players with copious minutes that ended in the championship game last season. Key defensive positions will looked at including an opportunity for rising junior Haile Abbott get many minutes to prepare for the fall season.
lt is indeed a season for renewal and growth!!
Lafayette College Field Hockey 