It was a unexpectedly gritty contest on a perfect sunny afternoon that wasn’t decided until seven minutes were left in the game. In only the second game between the two schools ever it devolved into a struggle that was to be decided by one goal. The last meeting was similarly decided by a single goal years ago.
Lena Thedrian was to open the scoring 18 minutes into by her drag off a penalty corner assisted by Olivia Krey and Katie Gibb. As her rocket crossed the goal the feeling was this was to be the opening that would flood Brown’s cage much like last week’s game against William and Mary.
There were several chances early on that were missed. In fact, shots favored the Leopards 4-1 in the first period although in the second period shot were even 3-3 the Leopards by the end of the half were up 4-0 in corners. The longer the Brown Bears hung around the more intensely they fought back.
The third period saw a momentum change as Brown began adding penalty corners 3-2 and another 3 in the fourth. Addie Kahn made a 6 saves during this stretch. However, with 10 minutes to go in the game Grace Almeida from Brown delivered a tying strike during a scrum in front of the cage, 1-1.
It was then that the Leopards showed why they are a ranked team! Linda Nova intercepted the ball, and sprinted towards the shooting circle dodging opponents along the way. As she entered the circle delivered a reverse stick shot toward the goal where Naomi George, as her training kicked in, and delivered a deflection into the cage.
Brown was not done as they pulled their keeper. With less than two minutes to go Lafayette gets a yellow card and all of the sudden Brown is up two player in field. The defense kicks as the clock kicks in. Finally, with seconds left Lafayette get controls and the clock runs out with a Lafayette victory and 14 wins in books.
In the meantime in Worcester, Mass Holy Cross has won their game against American in a shoot out! The Patriot League field is set. It will be Lafayette, Boston, American and Holy Cross. The seeding is TBD. Lafayette plays Boston on Friday which will determine who will host. Holy Cross will play Colgate on Saturday and American will play Lehigh. A win by Colgate will give Holy Cross the 4 seed, who will play the one seed. A win by Holy Cross gives them the 3 seed and they will play the two seed. The winner of the PL tournament will go to the NCAA national tournament.
