Schedules are crafted to fufill specific aims. Coaches first must fill their league commitments, but they are also constructed with an eye to the playoffs, preparing for league games, recruiting, and alumni support. League demands are first and you can imagine the differences, depending on the size and geographical scope of the league. Most schools will look to fitting in conference games first and structure an out of conference schedule that fits travel demands with an eye to RPIs.
A conference like the Big Ten, NEC, Ivy and the Patriot League will fill dates right away with mandatory games of 9, 8 or 7 dates, before filling in the out of conference games. Coaches will keep in mind travel budgets and time away from campuses. Some coaches will avoid weekday games and missing classes. Others, in divergent geographical conferences will bunch out of conference games in regions they will be traveling.
Many large schools will not play Saturday games on the same day their football home games are played. ( one team shamefully years ago cut short a field hockey game that went to overtime because a football game in the adjacent stadium was about to begin pregame festivities).
The Ivy League this year, for the first time will have a league tournament, but the price was to have teams cut one game from their schedule. Given the fact the Ivies will not allow any game before Sept 1 has always resulted in scheduling nightmares. Teams that normally had 18 games on the schedule now have 17, 16 and in one case 15 games. The result is that there are 16 less games in division one this year. The late start also means, as usual, some teams are forced to play on a weekday. Many teams like Lafayette try to avoid middle of the week travel. The Ivy League stance is inexplicable considering it would be more convenient, and less missed classes if early season games could be scheduled before classes started.
The trickier aspect is to get a schedule that could maximize a team’s RPI. Losing to a team with a lower RPI could be disastrous for the post season on those teams depending on an at large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Even a loss to a high ranked team may even help a ranking. Strength of schedule is a closely watched element for those post season slots.
Finally, recruiting could be considered. Getting exposure in areas of strong high school interest in the sport could be factored in. An even bigger draw is if the roster has some local player on the squad.
Although Lafayette has not officially announced its schedule, it can be found on the League website. There’s a lot for fans to be excited about with early games at Lafayette with Big Ten and ACC teams traveling to Easton. There is an away game with an Ivy school and some Big East and CAA schools to add excitement. We cannot forget the annual game at Lehigh who won the PL last year.
The winner of the PL tournament goes to the NCAA’s and the seeding will depend on how well that team did and strength of the schedule. Once the schedule is announced alumni in the area should be alerted so they can see their school in action. Games in New England, Washington, and New York City always draw alumni interest. As usual ESPN plus will be carrying Lafayette games with some OTC games on other streaming platforms.
Only four weeks to go before preseason and teams will begin practice. The first preseason scrimmage is Aug 15!!!
Lafayette College Field Hockey 