Month: August 2026

Leopards Finish Preseason On High Note

In five days the Leopards will be playing for real. It’ll be a non conference game with Kent State on Friday August 28 2;30 CT. Today, they finished their preseason with a home game against Wagner. There was a lot for coaches to be pleased with, especially with a dominant performance by the offense. I don’t know if it would be wise to identify goal scorers etc, but suffice to say the Patriot League coaches got it right in their preseason selections.

Stella Malinowski can make her presence known

However, one could add to the story, the progress made by the first year players, and the improvement of the returning squad members, as well. Today I saw excellent speed and good skills against a team that at the end of last year was ranked ahead of Kent State.

Corners were well executed with Lena

The hockey was as sound as it was exciting to watch. As they step on that plane Thursday, I don’t see how they can be better prepared. In a cautious observation, first games can be difficult and I remind everyone of last years game with William and Mary…a game that should been a W, The second game on Sunday may be a different story but the Leopards should not look ahead. The most important game is always the next one.

I think Lafayette fans are in for a treat this fall and the team deserve every bit of support. This is a serious minded battle tested group and it will be fun to watch this all come together. Wagner opened with a press and Lafayette handled it in way that should give concern to opponents, League and Non League. It time to set the tempo early.

I have my tickets in hand for Chicago and I hope the return trip will be with a smile on my face. The first game will NOT be televised and Sunday’s match will be on the Big Ten network.

Go Pards!!!

Leopards Continue Preseason Prep

The 2026 Leopards continue to work under hot late summer conditions preparing for the coming season which is only one week away. They traveled to Monmouth and got taste of intense high level hockey. Monmouth showed their skill and experience by jumping out to a first quarter two goal lead, surprising Lafayette fresh off the bus ride from Easton. However, this is a gritty team and they battled back and soon would get help from first year Elsa Wood nailing her first goal in a maroon and white uniform.

Following Elsa’s lead, senior Katie Gibb would even the score in the second quarter. Monmouth would eventually add one more goal, but this was a good afternoon as the upper classmen showed the skill that brought them success last season while the first years gained confidence.

As each day goes by the team is starting see where they are on the field and where their teammates are. Lena Thedrian deserves special mention as she had 3 defensive saves during the afternoon. Her work last year merited recognition as the preseason defensive player of the year. She was selected along with Stella Malinowski and Rosalie van Gool to the Patriot League preseason all league team. Lafayette was recognized by being picked second in the Patriot League poll…American was picked first by the coaches.

In 25 years of watching Leopard hockey, I have never seen us picked first. The first League game is September 18 th at Colgate.

Preseason Beginning To Show Results…Lafayette Reloads

Stella Malinowski finds open space

Lafayette Field Hockey had their first live competition of the season during a preseason game with the University of Albany. Remarkably, for an early early preseason game, the offense showed strong organization with considerable depth. Scoring was spread around the squad with Lafayette being able to solve the Albany defense from the first push-off. The defense was strong and played a role in starting attacks and showed strong field awareness.

Linda Novas evades an Albany defender
Linda Novas evades an Albany defender

There is still progress to be made with additional ball speed, but no doubt it will be there in time for the first game with Kent State and the game with Northwestern two days later. Of interest to all fans is the competition at the goal. The two goaltenders who played, showed that whoever prevails, the area between the pipes will be well protected.

The first year players were well represented on the field, and will make their presence known as the season progresses. I was particularly impressed with the speed of Mia Barreto, who chased down an Albany player in the second half attempting a fast break.

The attack penalty corners and defensive penalty corners were up to the challenge as they exhibited mid-season form. As the weeks go by, I expect to see more deception in the APC’s and maybe more attempts to fast break after DPC’s.

The returning players seem to have made progress which will be bad news to upcoming opponents, including the League Rivals. I am trying to temper my enthusiasm, but there is still a week to go and two more preseason games with Monmouth and Wagner before it begins for real!

Next up is Monmouth which should provide another measure of progress.

For those of you attending the opening week end at Northwestern, there will be a reception after the Kent State game Friday afternoon. More on those details later.