The Leopards traveled to Bucknell and won 2-1 in a crucial League contest, one that if Bucknell lost would eliminate them from the post season tournament for the first time in 17 years. It was apparent that both teams wanted to start with an offensive foot forward. Lafayette had 6 shots to Bucknell’s 0 in the first period and followed that with a 5-2 advantage in the second period. The penalty corner advantage reflected that with Lafayette holding an 8-0 edge.
The Leopards were rewarded with a Lena Thedrian goal at 27:29, giving Lafayette a 1-0 lead at the half. Olivia Krey and Katie Gibb provided the assists.
Bucknell came out determined and turned some of the numbers around but Lafayette got a fourth quarter goal from Linda Nova at 48:54. Facing tournament elimination the Bucknell coaching staff decided to pull their goalkeeper and add an extra field player after Lafayette suffered a yellow card.
However, it wasn’t until 2 1/2 minutes left in the game that the Bison’s were able to find the back of the net. The game ended with a 2-1 win for the Maroon and White. The game was pdolayed without video review and given the number of close calls would have been helpful to both teams. Bucknell has the replay assets, but inexplicably it was inoperable for the game.
The game ended with a 2-1 win for the Maroon and White. The game was played without video review and given the number of close calls it would have been helpful to either team. I only ask one question…would the Bucknell basket or football team ever play without video review!! I am not criticizing the Bison coaches but their athletic facility management!
Sunday’s game was a defensive battle as much as it was a battle against the elements. The Leopard showed their mettle by turning way the Blue Hens and managing to out shoot Delaware in the overtime period 3-0. It ended in a shootout with Campell Lemmick stepping between the pipes as Lafayette shooters delivered the victory. So Where Are We??
So Where Are We??
Lafayette has qualified for the League tournament with only home field to be decided. Boston is also undefeated with American and Lafayette as its coming opponents. Before Boston, Lafayette must play Lehigh. Clearly, if Lafayette wins its remaining games they will host. Boston is the last game of the regular season. Just to drive you a little crazy here is the tie breaking scheme the League has to decided to use.
- Teams are compared based on a weighted point scale where a victory to worth 3 points and an overtime loss is worth 1 point and a regulation loss is worth 0 points.
- Out of League Common Opponents : Comparison of records against common non-conference opponents.
- Head to head Goal Difffrential: The goal differential between the tied teams with a max cap of 4 per game
- Overall League Goal Differential: The total goal differential across all Patriot League games capped at 4.
- NCAA RPI rating
I ran the criteria through AI using various scenarios but I’ll let YOUdo that. The one point for an overtime loss is a little bizarre. Suffice to say, Lafayette prevailing in the next two League games (Lehigh and Boston) would be satisfactory!!!
