In the development of a team “personality,” at times it takes a single person to lead. Last night it was Lena Thedrian who stepped up with three goals in less the two minutes during a crucial third quarter. Until then Holy Cross was displaying heroics of their own in the person of their goalkeeper Mia McCloskey who had 9 saves in the first period. None was bigger than a stop of a penalty stroke attempt by Stella Malinowski.
Despite the Leopards dominance in shots 14-3 in the first half alone, it was the Crusaders who were to be in the lead 1-0 by the half time break. But it was Thedrian who was to break the Crusaders’s lead early in the third quarter. She could be seen all over the field making play after play but it was the “defender’s” drag flick that would propel the turnaround.
Before the crowd of 316 she was to step into an assist by Lea Good to even the score at 1-1. One minute later on a penalty corner Thedrian again delivered the go ahead goal at 38:34 with assist from Malinowski and Katie Gibb. If that wasn’t enough seconds later on another corner Thedrian delivered using the same combination making the score 3-1.
As it turned out those three scores would be needed as the Crusaders battled coming within one at 42:38 making the score 3-2. That score was to remain until the fourth quarter when the Leopards took charge with 3 addition goals made by Lea Good, Mia Freeman and a spectacular shot by Josephine van Wijk at 58:04.
In all, the Leopards out cornered the Crusader 10-3, out shot them 28-8 forcing the Crusader Gk to make 13 saves. The great thing about competitive sports it allows us to witness leadership in the making and Thedrian’s display was all that. She was described by the television play by play commentator as unsung…..no longer!!
Addendum
This gives the Leopards 3 wins in the conference and it has been the practice that 4 wins brings a spot in the conference playoffs. It looks like that will hold this year. Hosting will be very long shot. I still believe the League has a responsibility to mandate that video review be part of the conference tournament. Lehigh and American remain the only Patriot League schools without it. They could not host an NCAA tournament without it.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 