Month: November 2025

Not The Outcome We Wanted

Stella Malinowski and Josephine van Wijk surround a Boston player

It was a game well anticipated….a chance for our Leopards to add another ring to the finger, but Boston had other ideas. It needed a record setting effort by Boston and they got it. Boston always brings a stout defense, and they delivered, but they also got a record hat trick from Caroline O’Brian, that the Leopards failed to halt when needed.

For a while it looked like the Leopards would pull it out…a goal by. Maddie Evans in the third tied things up, but answered by O’Brian 6 minutes later…then 9 minutes later a goal by Malinowski only to be trumped by O’Brian with only 2 1/2 minutes to go in the game. This was the first time a 4 seed won the tournament and the first time there was a hat trick that did it.

I delayed writing this blog because I wanted to reflect on this and the upcoming tournament. First of all the Leopards left it all on the field and all praise to a marvalous senior class who led us here. Mackenzie Switzer, Carolina Rubel, Ellie Barton, Josephine Van Wijk, Peyton Guinter, and Raffi Fragomeni, who thrilled us with their courage, skill and determination for four years. They earned their rings from last year, something a majority of teams in Patriot League cannot say.

To the team, you prevailed through training, injuries and other adversities, for that you have our admiration and thanks. We are proud to be your fans!!

Josephine Van Wijk unloads a shot against Bucknell

To our amazing freshman, sophomores and juniors, you will challenge again I am sure, using this game as motivation. The League is getting better and the challenges will certainly be there, but I know you are up to it. To our coaches, who will hit the recruiting trail to replace and strengthen an extraordinary squad, our good wishes.

For the moment to Boston, congratulations on overcoming a difficult season. Best of luck and carry the League Flag with pride!! Boston will move onto Fairfield for the play in game, and I suspect after that. Princeton.

The success of the Ivy League this year has come as a shock to the power schools. Harvard, Princeton, and Yale will continue playing, pushing out teams like Maryland and Michigan.

A black mark to the Patriot League for asking the Lafayette team to leave the pitch after the game. The optics made it seem like they were bad sports. Several American players in the stands corrected the impression by noting the League had demanded the loser leave the field….terrible optics!!!

The success of the Ivies shows that excellence is possible, even at the Patriot League level with all its demands!!

Lafayette Punches Ticket To Championship Game

Josephine Van Wijk unloads a shot against Bucknell

In an action packed four quarters of field hockey, Lafayette College defended their title like the Champions they are. It was a match that has become a standard when these two teams, Lafayette and Bucknell, meet. For the last 9 meetings these two team dueled to a one goal result with Lafayette getting the advantage.

The first half ended 0-0 with Lafayette turning away five Bucknell penalty corners, with Katie Gibb meeting Kira Laclercq’s near the top of circle shots. Laclercq took every penalty corner opportunity but could not solve the Leopard penalty corner defense.

Katie Gibb and Lea Good moves against Bucknell

The game was played at consistent high intensity. Action moved from end line to end line testing the boundaries of fitness and skill. As Bucknell seemed to turn the action their way Lafayette defenders were there to intercept or tackle a Bucknell player recapturing the ball.

Lafayette used their strong bench, eventually testing the Bucknell depth. Eighteen Leopards made it into the game which Bucknell managed to sub in only three players from their reserves.

The relentless pressure eventually gave way to a two goal second half that was to break the tie with two goals at 33.53 and 42:26. Stella Malinowski drew first blood with a scrambling unassisted goal. While a scrum developed and multiple player were on the turf the Lafayette forward found the handle to deliver the first goal of the game.

The second goal was delivered nearly ten minutes later by the ubiquitous Katie Gibb in much the same matter. The Leopards used the two goal lead to control the fourth quarter until the Bisons decided to pull their Goalkeeper with nearly half the fourth quarter gone.

Katie Gibb scrambles to score!!

With two and one half minutes left the Leopards suffered a penalty stroke call, which Leclercq executed bringing the score to 2-1. Lafayette was to control the rest of the period to making their ticket reality, with a date to meet Boston in the final on Saturday.

Boston stunned American with 1-0 win in the first game. Despite being out cornered, the Boston defense was to stuff the strong APC’s, which is the foundation of American’s scoring.

The games were played with recently installed video review. By my count it was used at least 8 times between the officials, and calls by the teams during both matches. That leaves Lehigh the only team without review at their site.

Lafayette and Boston remain in DC to prepare for Saturday’s 1 pm meeting!!

Leopards Finish Regular Season With 6-4 Win Over Delaware

Lauren Kurek Lines Up Shot That Opens Scoring

In a game that seemed to cram a season’s worth of action in four quarters, the Leopards showed their character and spirit by turning away a game Delaware team to end up on top 6-4.

Half the scoring came from a three goal hat trick by Lena Thedrian. It was the second time this season that Lena was to get three goals in a single game. In this game it involved an effort that was to turn away a strong effort by Delaware.

The game had everything to offer. I can’t remember the last time there were three official’s reviews, along with several other reviews at crucial times during the action. The game was played on a windy cold afternoon, that rivaled any game played at Metzgar, the Leopards home turf. Adding to the action was a Delaware turf that was very fast that promoted offensive fire works.

First year player Lauren Kurek opened the explosion of scoring by taking a feed from Ellie Barton 13 minutes into the first quarter. In a skilled one on one move, she found her opening, delivering a strike using her back hand giving the Leopards a one goal lead.

Delaware answered seven minutes later with a goal of their own knotting the score at 1-1. Delaware seemed to take control by adding a second goal at 25:02, as the Leopards tried to find the answer to the Blue Hens resurgence. Lafayette retired at half time trying to figure things out on the short end of a 2-1 score in Delaware’s favor.

Four minutes into the second half captain Josephine Van Wijk, using an assist by Lea Good and Katie Gibb during a penalty corner tied the score again. It was Lena Thedrian who scored the first of her three goals, putting Lafayette ahead 3-2 using a drag flick during another penalty corner.

It wasn’t much more than a minute later that Delaware was gifted a penalty stroke, allowing them to tie the game and shift momentum in their favor. They followed with a score 5 minutes later putting them up for the last time 4-3.

It was then that the Leopards and Thedrian took charge with a surge with goals at 48:00 and 54:21 giving Lafayette a one goal lead with assists from Olivia Krey, Katie Gibb and Lea Good. Delaware then pulled their goalkeeper in a last attempt to rescue the game, but it was Stella Malinowski who delivered the “coup de grace” with a final goal a 57:07.

Raffi Fragomeni had 7 saves during the contest as Lafayette faced 17 shots from Delaware, while delivering 15 of their own scoring the 6 goals. It was aided by 12 penalty corners to Delaware’s 8 including the stroke.

The Leopards will move on to the post season with a meeting at American University with Bucknell on Thursday at two o’clock. The last encounter was a 2-1 overtime win against the Bison. American will meet Boston University at 11.

Unfortunately, the Patriot League tournament will be played without the customary video review since American is without the technology.