Lafayette enhanced its reputation as a “Giant Killer,” by knocking off the only remaining undefeated team in Patriot League play 2-0. This season is remarkable for the Leopards rising to the occasion against high ranking teams. Early this month they beat then ranked number 7 Princeton in overtime. Last Sunday number 4 ranked Penn State nearly fell in double overtime to an inspired Leopard squad.
This time it was Boston University who arrived at the Leopard’s Lair 4-0 in league play and left 4-1 after 60 minutes of play. No one can deny it’s been a trying season with 9 one goal losses. This afternoon they proved how dangerous they could be!!
Boston had 9 shots during the afternoon with only 2 on goal. The Leopards showed their prowess by responding with 12 shots, 8 on goal. The Terrier goal keeper was forced to make 6 saves while the shutout destined Lafayette goalkeeper, Raffi Fragomeni made 2. Boston did manage 4 penalty corners (2 in the final period) which were turned away by the defensive penalty corner group.
The crowd of 221 fans were treated to an excellent game from both sides. The skills were on display. and the officials were on top of the game. In the first period there were 4 shots from each side. The quarter closed in a 0-0 tie. The first shot of the game was at 1:33 with senior Felicitas Hannes delivering the blow that went wide. One minute later Terrier Amalia Preece was to get off a shot for the red side, and was blocked by the Leopards.
The intensity on each side was evident with the Lafayette defense led by Simone Hefting showing they came to play. Josephine van Wyck was to also get off a shot during a first period corner, as her presence was obvious all game long.
Two minutes later Lineke Spanns, who demonstrated her skill, speed and heart all game long challenging the BU defense, resulted in her first of three shots in the game. However, it was during a corner at 17:08 when the Leopards drew first blood with Molly McAndews finding the back of the cage during a scramble in front. She was assisted by Spanns and Felicitas Hannes. ( see the picture at the top of this article). Molly was to have a team leading 4 shots during the game.
The rest of the period saw back and forth action with Lafayette getting off 2 more shots while blanking the Terriers for the remainder of the period.
Despite renewed energy by Boston, they got only one shot during the third quarter, while Lafayette got 4 more. One of those shots was to come from Lineke Spanns at 40:32 on a reverse stick to the right corner after dodging and speeding past several Terrier defenders.
That was to be the last score of the afternoon. In total Molly McAndrew had 4 shots, Leneke Spanns had 3, Felicitas Hannes had 2, Josephine van Wyck had 1, Simone Hefting had 1 and MacKenzie Hall had 1 on goal.
All in all it was a team effort which ended on stout defense of a corner by Boston and Simone Hefting being awarded a green card with 19 seconds left, I believe for putting the ball in play with delay.
Lafayette will be traveling to New Haven to meet Yale tomorrow at 2 pm.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 