Alix Talkow added to her dream regular season by scoring against the number 3 team in the nation. It narrowed the score to 2-1 as Lafayette ( the number 2 seed in the Patriot League) gave the number 2 seed in the Big Ten all it could handle in the Sunday afternoon out of conference game. Unfortunately. the 2-1 lead was to stand up and Lafayette was to lose by that same score.
For 40 minutes the score was deadlocked at 0-0 as the Lafayette defense stood tall against the Big Ten opponent. Until then the first half was even in score while Rutgers held a slim 4-2 margin in shots. It was in the third period the Scarlet Knights began to assert themselves with a 6-0 advantage in shots, two of which found the back of the net. Rutgers had only 3 penalty corners, two of which occurred in the third period. Lafayette had its first corner in the fourth period while also outshooting Rutgers 3-2. Hailey Abbott again had a fine afternoon making five saves.Molly McAndrews took 2 shots all game, and Spaans and Hefting each one along with Talkow’s score at 4:20 into the fourth quarter. It was good to see Hefting in fine form along with Hannes, Sawers, India , Gerbrandij, Balderson, Gould and McAndrew all making contributions. Schumacher, Darrah, Hall, and Conway were there when needed.
There also needs to be a mention to Jen Stone and her excellent coaching staff who devised a very good game plan in less than 24 hours. I am certain it has prepared the Leopards for future playoffs contests which begin November 4 at American. American was inactive today having played their last regular season game against Colgate on Friday. Bucknell, Lafayette’s opponent on Thursday lost to Drexel and Lehigh who plays American lost to Wagner.
I am sure all will be ready on Thursday. More on those games on Wednesday. I have to add that the officiating was excellent as these Big Ten referees supervised the game and were not trying to be a participants. There were no cards awarded the entire game and few penalty corners. It was a pleasure to watch officials who were committed to letting the players play.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 