Every year the powers that be, review the rules for field hockey to look for improvements for the game. Coaches look to new ways to arrange their team to take advantage of opponents. Likewise, technology marches on, providing coaches, players and officials with tools to make the game fairer and accurate.
Corner defense was excellent
Several years ago there was the advent of cardiac monitors to give coaches on the sideline a view of the effort and stress on the field. For most Division one teams this has become a standard addition for practices and even for monitoring during games. Officials now communicate with each other via headphones on the field.
The next generation of technological innovation is being worked on at Lafayette. My wife and I were on campus yesterday and took a short drive to Metzgar athletic campus and observed there was installed in the south side of the field hockey field, three cameras. Lafayette is now testing a system that will eventually include as many as six cameras for video referral.
Hefting was there when needed
Video referral is now standard at many schools including those in the Big Ten, ACC, and many Big East schools. It is required to be provided by host schools in the NCAA tournament. Lafayette will be the first school in the Patriot League to have video referral at home games. Which means potentially, Lafayette might only play 3 games without referral. If Lafayette were to host the Patriot League tournament that tournament like the NCAA tournament, would be played under referral rules.
Aside from games, the software could be used at practice to focus on individual players to assist coaches in improving skills and tactics. Yes, Lafayette initially will be the leader in the Patriot League in providing this technology. I believe it won’t be long before the rest of league will be catching up. Those who stand still, risk being run over!! Go Pards.
No doubt other improvements are being considered as Lafayette builds a winning culture…stay tuned!!!
It was a tale of two teams as Lafayette started out as cold as the north wind that was blowing across the field at St. Joseph’s. It was a three way series of contests between Lafayette, St. Joseph and Penn State. By the the end of the day the light went on for Lafayette and they demonstrated why their Patriot League opponents will have a lot to think about this fall.
Mackenzie Hall shows her stuff to the Nittany Lions
The first two contests between Lafayette and Penn State and later St. Joe’s had the Hawks and Nittany Lions setting the speed and pace of the game. However, by the end of the day the Leopards went into high gear scoring and winning one game with Penn State and getting numerous shots against the Hawks of St. Joes.
Molly McAndrew skirts the endline
Lafayette was finally getting fast breaks and beating the high press their opponents continued to throw at them. It gave this fan a peek of the Leopard team potential.
Everyone was to contribute and our forwards took their legs into high gear until mid afternoon. The Leopards sprint on the field seemed to coincide with the sun which finally came out, as the Leopards were to show their ability.
Filene Gerbrandij challenges St Joes for the ball.
The day ended with a sudden death overtime 7×7 followed by a shootout with St Joes which the Leopards took.
The next game is with Big Ten opponent Rutgers at 7 pm on Friday.
Offense Player of the Year Audrey Sawers shows some offense
As our young players move from high school to college, the level of hockey continues to improve as many high schools and now universally, clubs, play on turf. At the club level in particular, skills are acquired that can be used in college, as the short water based turf at clubs is more akin to the turf that is used at all division one schools.
Like most sports at the Division one level and beyond, the defining skill for success on the field is speed and the acquisition of receiving skills. The players are faster, the ball is faster, reaction time is faster and increasingly, awareness on the field includes anticipation of not only where your teammate or opponent are on the field, but most importantly where they will be.
Passes are made to give your teammate a lead in full stride much like a football quarterback will lead his wide receiver. On defense the anticipation of movement will lead to opportunities for fast breaks and turning a defensive effort into an offensive scoring threat. It’s a beautiful thing to see when executed in any sport, and often time defines success at each level. Stand still and get beaten at any level. Coach Stone’s emphasis on fitness is the foundation for being able to play the game at a high level. Without fitness, movement will not be possible. She is trying to give all her players experience with top teams who play at a championship level. Spring gives everyone a chance to reach the “next” level and test themselves.
This spring Lafayette will meet St Josephs, Penn State, Rutgers, Penn and, Delaware. All will play at an increasing pace and Lafayette will be learning to play at the pace that defines the “next level.”
This Saturday the Leopards will traveling to St. Josephs and will also play Penn State. Both teams were NCAA tournament participants. Each “game” will be 2 full quarters with 2 minutes between quarters. So 30 minutes of playing. It will be a total of 42 minutes between game start times. The day starts at 11 with St Joes and Penn State. Lafayette plays Penn State at 11:42 and St. Joes at 12:24. Lafayette will next play at 1:48 against Penn State and follow with St. Joes at 2:30.
There is a final game with St Joe’s starting at 3:12. It’s an interesting day for Lafayette and an opportunity for Lafayette to improve their pace and speed.
Molly McAndrew show her veteran skills early on against Monmoth
The Leopards are still in the construction phase of organizing their team for the fall. Coach Stone has presented the team with strong challenging opponents, which should in the end expose weaknesses as well as, strength while providing learning opportunities. This afternoon, the Leopards faced two good teams. The Hawks of Monmouth, newly a member of the CAA, and the ACC’s Syracuse Orange who showed why they are highly regarded.
The afternoon started out with great promise as Lafayette scored the first goal of the afternoon in an intense scrum in front of the cage. Molly McAndrew found the handle finally to score with only 1 minute having run off the clock.
For the next two periods Monmouth displayed their fast breaking slashing style. The Lafayette’s defense held up well, but the Hawks managed two more goals ( one on a corner). During the three quarters, Monmouth managed as many corners as goals.
Syracuse, who was an NCAA tournament team, also scored 3 goals against another goal by McAndrew. Syracuse also had four penalty corners and five shots on the afternoon.
The weather was threatening all afternoon, and I have to say the Leopards played their best quarter against Syracuse on their third try. The Lafayette offense has yet to get in mid season form, managing few shots and circle penetrations. Most concerning was the lack of any penalty corners all afternoon after six quarters of hockey.
But this is why we have spring “games.” It is not only an opportunity for young players to find their place, but for coaches to evaluate and groom their current talent before the new recruits arrive. The fall will have fewer opportunities before the beginning of the championship season.
For many of the players this is their first spring training where they are having the opportunity to improve their skills and for their teammates to know where they are on the field. Meeting teams like Syracuse, Penn State, Temple and Monmouth is an opportunity, as they may see them again this fall!!
Next week gets no easier, with games at St. Joseph’s with Penn State joining in the fun. I expect our passes to be crisper and energy to be more obvious.
It’s been about five months since Temple and Lafayette last met when the Leopards prevailed 1-0. Today Temple prevailed 2-1 in a spring game that tested both teams. Lafayette at first had trouble adjusting to Temple’s aggressive zone defense but gradually were to get opportunities one of which was a reverse stick shot by Lineke Spanns that found the back of the cage.
Temple was to later connect on a direct shot that made it two to one….an advantage that Lafayette was not able to counter. Lafayette was able to use both their goal tenders Becca Herbert, and Emma Garvey, both having their moments as the game progressed. The Lafayette defense benefits from a veteran backfield of Simone Hefting, and Sydney Woolston. Last year India Ralph saw significant minutes and acquitted herself well today.
Lineke Spanns loses the goalie on the way to a score
The midfield features Lineke Spanns who scored the only Lafayette goal during the regular game. Filene Gerbrandij also showed some of her regular season skills as the game progressed.
The forward line was solid with Molly McAndew getting a few looks on goal as the Leopards out cornered Temple. Laine Delmonte also saw significant action and was in the center of the action often. Ariel Schumacher was visible for her aggressiveness as well.
Simone Hefting challenges the goalkeeper in a shootout
Coach Stone should be satisfied with the effort today but clearly there is room for improvement. But that is why we have spring hockey. It’s hard to come to any hard and fast conclusion, and I am sure we will see continued progress as the spring moves on. ( Hopefully with warmer days)
Filine Gerbrandij defends against the Owl offense
The afternoon ended with some practice shootouts that ended in a 4-4 tie.
Next week Syracuse and Monmouth arrive at Rappolt Field and should be a strong test of the Leopards progress!!!
Lehigh was missing their fine goalkeeper, Maddie Kahn who is playing on the under 21 national team. In addition, they only had 11 players to put on the field against the 20 plus strong Temple squad. Temple had a number of rising sophomores in the lineup, which proved too much for the rebuilding Mountain Hawks.
For what it’s worth, Temple scored 7 goals to Lehigh’s 2. The Owls scored with 7 minutes left in the first quarter to get an early 1-0 lead on a corner. Lehigh did manage to get two goals in the second quarter, catching the supine Temple goalie on the ground. Temple answered with two goals of their own, the last coming with 6 seconds left in the half taking a half time lead 3-2
In the second half, Temple turned it up, with 4 additional scores from the field, and from corner opportunities. Temple earned seven corners to Lehigh’s 2. The lack of a bench for Lehigh was a factor as the game progressed.
Lehigh made significant use of aerials to advance the ball from the backfield, but Temple was to use their athletic abilities to spend most of the game in Lehigh territory. Lehigh veterans Anna Piecuch, and Sarah Bonthus, who scored in the game were engaged. Lotte Smorenburg, a rising Junior, performed well in the backfield. Rising junior Emily Mars contributed as well. There will be adjustments and work to be done to replace graduates Lenke Havas and Drew Pecora. I saw no indication of a Lehigh player exercising their Covid option
Temple on the other hand showed progress from last year with a plethora of undergraduate talent returning. Rising Juniors Myrthe Schuilenburg, Olivia Vacari, and Maddie Molchany showed strength. Rising sophomore Julia Bunch looked strong, scoring multiple contested goals. Number 33 Juliane Kopec, another rising sophomore, scored two goals on strong shots while having multiple strong circle penetrations.
Most impressive was number 8, Nienke Oerlemans who appears to be exercising her covid option. As a strong defender and inserter on corners she seems to have that strong hit and control that puts the ball where it needs to be.
Lafayette travels to Temple tomorrow to meet the Owls for a contest of their own!!
In about two weeks the 2022 version of the Field Hockey Leopards will play their first spring game. Coach Jennifer Stone has released dates and opponents for this spring’s competitions and she has not been reticent in making sure it’ll be tough enough to be worthy of the ability of Lafayette. It includes NCAA qualifiers and a team who during season was ranked number one in nation.
For the first game, the Leopards will travel to Philadelphia to meet the Temple Owls on March 27th for a 1 pm meeting. Last year, Stone’s charges won a 1-0 game late in season. ( As an aside Lehigh will be playing Temple the day before,) On April 3rd Lafayette will host two other teams, Monmouth and Syracuse. Syracuse of course is an ACC rival while Monmouth will be joining the CAA. Six days later it’s back to Philadelphia for a challenging afternoon on April 9 playing a very good St. Joseph team and perennial Big Ten power Penn State, who beat the Leopard 3-1 last fall.
McAndrews goes after the ball
The challenges keep coming as Rutgers travels to the Lehigh Valley and Rappolt Field on April 15 for a 7pm night game. Rutgers was ranked number one last year when the Leopards lost by one goal in the last regular season game in October. The last game of the spring will again be in Philly on April 23rd at UPenn with the University of Delaware joining the festivities.
Mary Gould and Felicitas Hannes get into position
Coach Stone and the Leopards will be looking for the formula to break through and bring its first championship to Easton in ten years. Last year the Leopards were thwarted in 1-2 loss to American in Washington, DC. Lafayette also lost on September 18 to American in a regular season contest in overtime 0-1.
The Patriot League will be improving as Lehigh has also been knocking on the door as they lost to American in the semi-final 0-1. Lehigh has become more competitive and will be traveling to Lafayette this year. I can also believe that Boston University will also improve as they also will be visiting Lafayette in the fall. Bucknell has a new coach and will be trying to avenge a 2-3 two overtime loss in the regular season and 3-4 exciting overtime loss in the PL semi-final. Having a successful regular season record and hosting the championship game has to be a goal for the Leopards in the coming campaign.
The Leopards will look to replace many key players due to graduation but will still see a veteran team on the field this spring and perhaps 5-7 new recruits. Molly McAndrews will be returning for her Covid season and will be there leading a diversified offense. Leneke Spanns, a fan favorite will be there to spark the offense with her super speed and competitiveness to please the home fans. Alden Boccella a hero of the Bucknell semi-final game will be back with even more experience and playing time to drive opponents nuts. If that isn’t enough, Felcitas Hannes adds her strong shooting skills to bother opposing goalkeepers!
Hefting was there when needed
However the defense will also be stout with Simone Hefting providing strength and leadership. Shea Balderson, India Ralph, Alex Darrah,and veteran Sydney Woolston adds to the wall. One key position will be GK, as Emma Garvey steps in. She will be featured in the spring games this year, which will give her the experience and confidence to anchor that position. I will note that she had a fine spring last year and looks to me to be up to the challenge.
The midfield and transition game is solid with the aforementioned Bocella and boosted by Filine Gerbrandji. Today’s Field Hockey game requires solid players to step up and Ariel Schumacher, Carly Kreytak, Alex Darah, Mackenzie Hall, Laine Delmomte and Alexandra Conway are true division one athletes and proved it last year. The spring will be a great opportunity for them to step up!!
One addition could be Tara Hamilton who suffered a knee injury in the Delaware scrimmage last year. Her return could make our offense truly awesome.
I really don’t think I am being just a homer, but I feel this team could be one of our great teams. The preseason predictions have always passed by the Leopards ( even during our consecutive championships) but this team certainly deserves to be challenger for the championship. I can see them as a top twenty team given the work I believe these young athletes will put in between now and August. I am pumped for the spring!!!!
From time to time I get an email or letter from field hockey alums letting me know what they are up to and more often than not express appreciation for their years of Division One Field Hockey at Lafayette. I got one such email from Liza Welch of the class of 2019.
Liza was a chemistry major and distinguished herself in the classroom. She is working for a computational chemistry company, Schroedinger, that makes software for drug discovery and materials science research. She didn’t want to work for big Pharma and takes great pride in working for a company that makes drug discovery research accessible to smaller companies.
She remarked how she has friends for life as a result of her time with Lafayette Field Hockey . As she entered the workforce she feels MILES ahead of everyone she works with, given the intensity of her athletic experience. ” I legitimately cannot be more thankful that I was able to instill myself in a program like Lafayette’s.”
She played in the USA Field Hockey’s Young Women’s Championship scoring a difficult goal….remarking how she almost felt famous and gained a lot of confidence for her senior season!!! While at Lafayette she had worked her way to the top of the fitness test her junior year, even though she was not the fastest on the team!! She and Sophie Carr, who was rehabilitating a knee, enjoyed pushing her teammates and making it fun! For all of you current players “enjoying” spring training, Liza said if there was some way to transport myself to spring training , I’d do it in a heartbeat.
What is not well known is that Liza had vision issues, and had cataract surgery in 2016 and 2018. She also had it done again in 2021. Her coaches said she made other people better on the field once she got her vision back.
She is grateful to her team of surgeons at Mass Eye and Ear that preserved her vision. It is with that in mind, she is running in the Boston Marathon to raise money for their practice. She training as hard as she can, much like she did at Lafayette. She is not aiming just to finish, but to do the best she can.
If you would like to support Liza, please contact her directly. Do not use the given gain web site as they charge a 5% fee!!
Patriot League Well Represented With Four Players On The International Turf
At any given time there were three Patriot League players on the turf during the 3-1 win over Canada this afternoon at Prince of Wales CC in Santiago Chile. The US Captain is Amanda Magadan Lafayette ’17. Audrey Sawers Lafayette ’21 saw significant minutes on the Canadian side. and Ally Hammel from Boston University was there at the crucial center back position. Marcia LaPlant was the reserve Canadian goalie who played at Holy Cross, saw no action.
Offensive Player of the Year Audrey Sawers shows some offense
Amanda scored the final goal for the Red White and Blue in the 59th minute sealing an impressive victory for the young 15th ranked USA squad against the 13th ranked Canadian team. In an interview after the game, she remarked on the game’s intensity and how they would be reviewing film to prepare for their next game on Sunday.
The US had recently played several test matches with the Canadians in California with little result, but certainly used that experience today to play what may have been the best game for this young team to date, and a clear achievement for the new US Coach Anthony Farry.
Playing scoreless and cornerless for the first 29 minutes and 52 seconds the defensive and offensive intensity was there. The US did have more shots in the first half, with Canada getting off the first shot of the game in sixth minute, which was turned away by goalkeeper Kelsey Bing. The US had the first corner of the game, but left the turf tied with Canada 0-0.
In the fourth quarter things started to liven up. Whereas the Canadians had only one green card in the first half, in the fourth quarter they began to rack up multiple penalty box minutes in 37th and 48th minutes with green cards and yellow cards in the 55th and 59th minutes. Meanwhile the US had only one yellow in the 45th minute.
The US was down a player in the fourth quarter which gave the Canadians the chance to score the first goal of the game in the 48th minute. But the US was to answer one minute later as Karlie Kisha found the rebound during a penalty corner to tie the score again. The final nine minutes was a stretch of frenetic activity, as Ashley Sessa beat three defenders and put a backhand into the corner. It appeared the Canadians may have earned a penalty corner in the 58th minute which was reversed on a review.
Magadan put the game away in the 59th minute when the initial shot on a penalty corner was rebuffed, and she drove the ball to the goal and scored. In her interview, after the game she described the action as “gritty.”
It’s been a year, first of all with two championship seasons. 2020 was cancelled due to covid, and a season was put together haphazardly in the spring. It was short, random and unfair. All teams did not play each other, although Lafayette was to play a full six games unlike some others in the Patriot League. There was an ill advised policy at Lafayette that sent some 4 players home for the spring which basically left the Leopards with one substitute. However, we can now call this the time of development. It resulted in the development of depth for the fall and the discovery of talent that might not have risen to visibility!!
McAndrews goes after the ball
The fall season reaped the rewards of that spring opportunity. It was a winning season with some close losses to very good teams. It ended in a championship tournament that was the closest in years. There was a thrilling series of one goal games that demonstrated the competitiveness of the Patriot League. The Covid year allowed Audrey Sawers to compete for an all American season. She eventually was asked to be on the Canadian national squad and she has already earned several caps this past month.
An additional unusual factor going forward is the use of the transfer portal. It did not effect PL field hockey, but we did see some very good players move, not only for their fifth year, but laterally as well in other conferences. The Ivy League in particular was ineffective in retaining talent for an additional season and they did not play in the spring.
Alden Boccella lines up a pass
Looking Forward
Lafayette to my knowledge has signed at least five new recruits with more to come this spring, This should renew and invigorate the already deep roster. It will be enhanced with one fifth year holdover adding to an already solid veteran team. To me, this makes Lafayette one of the favorites to end up in the championship tournament in November. I look forward to a productive spring.
Moreover, the conference looks stronger which should help in the final seeding in the NCAA tournament. Lafayette played a stronger out of conference schedule, and all indications are that next fall will see a repeat of that schedule’s strength.
Hopes For The 2022 Season
I am hoping all Patriot League teams would strengthen their schedule, especially Lehigh. Lehigh has indeed improved, and their athletes and the League deserve to have their players tested and ranked better, rather than by playing the bottom half of the Division one pool.
Almost every Patriot League game will be played like a post season tournament game. Lehigh has now won two games in row against us and the next game will be at Lafayette. That streak must end. Hopefully Lafayette will be playing with a full squad, unlike the last two times when injuries and an unwise covid policy shortened the Lafayette bench. I really am getting tired those posts in their social media, touting their wins in the last two seasons.
I would hope late season injuries leave us alone next year. They were indeed a factor. I would hope that Lafayette’s one goal losses can be turned into wins which could give us a least a top 20 ranking!!
The spring season will give answers in the filling of holes such as in goal and replacing Audrey Sawers.
I would hope that the influence of Covid is behind us. Clearly, the college seems to have things under control and the latest iteration seems less threatening to those vaccinated. Hopefully, the League as whole will show some common sense.
Finally, I would hope that instant reply will be acquired, as the funding for that is already secured at Lafayette. It is time to move and its establishment should improve disputes on controversial calls. The time is now!!!!
Finally
I am excited for the spring season which is only 8-10 weeks away. After that, things should be clearer. The team clearly will be one of our best ever. American, Lehigh and Boston will be at Rappolt Field and success in those games will no doubt be a factor in the final seeding and determination of who will host. I am tired of trekking to DC…. hopefully not next year!! You know who I am rooting for. The League rarely chooses to favor Lafayette in the preseason, but that’s ok. I am confident where we will be in the end.
POST SCRIPT: To the patriot league….please include the article written by go leopards regarding Audrey being a second team all American on Dec 14. I noticed the two other articles about the other two but not for Audrey.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 