Month: March 2024

Lafayette And Lehigh Combine For Continuation Of Spring Preparation

Lafayette and Lehigh met this evening in a practice game, as the spring preparations continue. The game was played under game conditions with the exception that Lafayette borrowed a Lehigh goalkeeper to substitute for Raffi Fragomeni who is still nursing a minor injury. There was very little for her to do, as the Lafayette offense had significant minutes on the Lehigh side of the field.

There was no official accounting, but Lafayette clearly had more shots and corners. If one were to count goals, Lafayette scored two, and one goal was called back. The first goal was a stroke in the third quarter, breaking a scoreless tie.

Both teams battled the elements as a brisk cold wind kept both fans and players alert. Neither team was in mid season form, but I thought Lafayette clearly benefited from last week’s game with St. Joe’s. Lehigh has been improving lately and they had their moments of skill and speed, but clearly the Leopards seemed more comfortable with one another.

For a spring game, there was a decent crowd from both sides. The field’s original scoreboard is still inoperable, but I understand a new scoreboard has recently been approved.

Other news from around the league has Bucknell raising money for video referral, leaving only two Patriot League teams without it…American and Holy Cross. American will be at Lafayette this fall, and the Leopards will travel to Holy Cross, which means the Leopards will play only one Patriot League game without video referral this fall!!!

Leopards Open Spring Games Against St.Joes

It seems every spring our games with St. Josephs are played in blustery cold weather. Today was no exception, but thankfully the sun was out shining down on our first effort of the 2024 year. The Leopards bring back a plethora of talent who should know each other’s place on the field but even that advantage needs to be worked on. But that’s why we have spring games.

Each side came with about 18 players, but the game was played with no goal tenders, as minor injuries kept each team without a backstop. Surprisingly, for three quarters it was a low scoring affair with few corners and shots on goal. Both teams managed to score one goal in those first 45 minutes. The Hawks managed to get several corners and were to take advantage in the last 10 minutes of the game.

These spring games ( or controlled) scrimmages are more for reestablishing skills left dormant over the last six months. St. Joe’s was able to effectively use their press and one on one skills to push the action into their scoring end. The Leopards were able to establish a press of their own and I was impressed in the first 45 minutes with corner defense and counter attack.

I was pleased to see many Lafayette players who experienced late season injuries on the field. I was unrealistically thinking to see much of the skill and aggression displayed during the last part of last season, but as I should have know that comes back as the spring progresses.

The Leopards will waste little time meeting their next opponent, Lehigh on Friday at 6 pm at home. I love to see the progress from game to game and a preseason Lehigh meeting will hit the spot.