Category: Sports

Leopards Begin Training To Defend Title

In a brisk, sharp, practice, under the August sun, the Lafayette Leopards are hard at work honing their skills, to make another run at a league title, and a place in the national tournament. To these eyes, the dedication and enthusiasm is there, and the coaching staff is making sure they will be ready.

The first test for this team who are showing extraordinary depth, will be at Penn State on Friday. It will be a strong baptism for this team that finished ranked in the top 20 in the nation last year!!! They will be playing the Nittany Lions a nationally ranked team in the tough Big Ten conference. They will be meeting the Lions during the regular season at Lafayette, and will be hosting an Olympic fundraising clinic after the game. It features clinic coaches who have had Olympic experience.

Leaders consult at end of practice

During practice, the team showed good speed, and given the early season, showed good decision making skills. It’ll be especially interesting for the new players, number 2 Addison Ford from Malvern, Pa,number 9 Lauren Kurek from Collegeville Pa, number 20 Katie Ambrose from Newark, Del, number 21 Feline Reusken from Voorsburg, Netherlands, number 25 Roselie van Gool from Saint-Michielegestel, Netherlands, number 27 Linda Nova from Prague, Czech Republic and number 98 Campbell Lemmink from Yorktown Va. Together with the other 20 team members, this team will be deep and talented.

Depth is an emerging strength

The team has benefited from the new construction adjacent to the field hockey field, housing the Lacrosse teams. There is a fully equipped strength facility which is being used. Improvements to the FH stadium area still await approval of plans by the township!! As the winningest team on campus, we all hope that we can move forward soon!!

Coach Stone, who is entering her 13th season at the helm, will be joined by last year’s assistants Jop Beuger in his 3rd season, and Meghan Reese in her second season.

Aside from winning the conference, the Leopards ( and their fans) would love to see the PL tournament at home. So winning each Patriot League game is important, and a key game with American is circled for Friday Oct 3rd in DC. Perennial power Syracuse and Penn State will strengthen an already strong schedule with Fairfield, Drexel, Longwood,William and Mary, Temple, Dartmouth, Quinnipiac, New Hampsire and Delaware providing non league challenges!!

Aside from the Penn State exhibition there will be games with Monmouth and Albany to prepare for the opening game with Fairfield on August 29th at 6pm at home. The game will be covered by ESPN streaming service.

Leopards Leave It All On The Field In 0-1 Effort Against Number 3 Ranked St Joes

Leneke Spaans leads as always

These end of season blogs are probably the most difficult to write. It’s usually written after a tournament loss. The hard part is only one team ends up happy in that circumstance. This year was different. This team ends their season as champions having a 14-7 season and defeating, in heroic fashion, a worthy opponent, American University. It should be noted there were 66 teams not playing yesterday and Lafayette had established itself as one of the top teams in the country.

St. Joseph was ranked number 3 in the country and averaged 4 goals a game. The only goal yesterday was scored with Lafayette short one field player due to a yellow card on India Ralph, with 11 minutes left in the game. Even in the closing minutes, the Leopards never gave in. With seconds left in the game, having pulled their excellent goalkeeper Raffi Fragomeni, who had a career effort, the Leopards were called on to defend a corner. Sophomore Lena Thedrian rose to the occasion making a save and holding the Hawks to their final margin of victory 1-0.

All season long the fabulous five seniors were the foundation of this season’s success and yesterday was no exception. Again and again they proved they heart, determination, and skill. Leneke Spaans, India Ralph, Laine Delmotte, Alex Darrah, and Mackenzie Hall were as much keys to Leopard’s success yesterday, as they were all season.

Something must be said about the courage and skill of Leneke Spaans. After going down with a knee injury last week, I thought there would be no way she would she be able to start in the NCAA game. Start she did, with the doctors permission, showing her speed at times, and getting close with a reverse chip shot to tie the game. She was not at full capabilities, but still a factor on the field. It was an honor to see her demonstrate her skills for four years. In my estimation, she is one of the best athletes, male or female ever to don a Lafayette uniform. If there was a way to have her go straight to the Hall of Fame I would urge it.

The Hawks will lose 11 seniors and graduate students, and Lafayette will rebuild finding replacements for our 5 fab seniors. I predict there will be another run next year, but this group should receive their championship rings with the pride that comes with accomplishment first.

Addendum:

There are those at the” power” schools who whine that the NCAA tournament should be filled with their like only. It’s in the character of the NCAA tournaments that gives entries from the smaller conferences a chance to shine. I recall Lehigh beating Duke, and Bucknell beating Kansas in the basketball tournament. For my football friends, yesterday’s game was the equivalent of us playing Texas to a 7-0 loss in Austin. Most of those whining are those that didn’t make it. WE ARE ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE COUNTRY!!

The parents this year were amazing, providing support …..and tailgates worthy of their daughter’s skill on the field.

To our loyal alumni…this is one of the most successful athletic programs at Lafayette. Jen Stone and her staff who year after year produce results deserve your support!! This was an excellent effort by Jen and her staff the school should be rewarding them and the program with resources to enhance their success in the future.

To the Patriot League….IT”S TIME TO MANDATE VIDEO REPLAY. DO IT NOW..ONLY LEHIGH AND AMERICAN FAIL TO PROVIDE IT!!!

Step One Accomplished..Leopards Move On To Championship Game

Lena Thedrian has one goal and a defensive save in 2-1 win

Thedrian and Van Wijk score in semi-final with Bucknell

It was certainly a team effort, as Coach Jennifer Stone used her depth to score a ticket to the Championship round of the Patriot League Championship Tournament. Josephine van Wijk opened Leopard scoring at 7:26 during one of its 3 penalty corners with assists from co-captains Lineke Spanns and India Ralph. The opening score came on the northern side of the field as the autumn sun was shinning in the defenders eye.

Van Wijk was busy on offense and defense

Within seconds of an outstanding defensive save, Lena Thedrian received assists from same two teammates, Spanns and Ralph during a corner at 6:30 into the second quarter. It was an important goal, and the last goal of the game for the Leopards as the Bucknell Bison’s Lily Neilson scored with seconds left in the half to close to within one.

The second half was dominated by fierce defense, and movement from both sides. It was a half worthy of the post season. The third period saw each side get 1 corner while Lafayette had a one shot advantage during the second half. Uncharacteristically, the Leopards had given up 6 corners in the second period.

Bucknell was required to make 5 saves while Lafayette goalkeeper Raffi Fragomeni made 3 during the entire contest. Seventeen Leopards saw action and all performed well in an intense contest that in the end became a game of defense and ball possession.

DPC stands tall in the circle

On the backs of the win the Leopards are now ranked 25 in National RPI ratings. American is ranked below that, as they took home a 1-0 win to get to the Championship round. The Eagles had 21 shots in the win. The Leopards will have to find a way past graduate student GK Bryn Underwood and I suspect will take Lafayette’s usual large shot advantage.

The game will start at 1:00 EST, as the Leopards will be looking for their first championship in 11 years and revenge for their recent one goal losses in the regular and. post season.

Lafayette Soars To Stone’s 100th Win Against Boston University

Five Leopards Score In 5-0 Statement Win

Josephine Van Wijk, Lineke Spaans, India Ralph, Alex Darrah, and Stella Malinowski combined to give the Leopards a 10-6 record while on the doorstep of the post season. The Leopards exploded for 22 shots while holding off Boston’s nationally recognized vaunted penalty corner offense resulting in another shutout for GK Raffi Fragomeni and the Lafayette defense.

DPC defense is a wall

The game was filled with pageantry as US Olympian Amanda Golini returned to the Lafayette pitch to be lauded by her former teammates, alumni, and fans. It was another nice crowd of 428 filling the stands who were treated to a dominating win demonstrating all the skill and promise I thought would emerge during this season.

Josephine avoids defenders

The first quarter was a probing one as the Leopards looked for weaknesses in the Boston defense. It was a well planned strategy that finally resulted in the first goal 7 minutes into the second quarter goal by van Wijk assisted by Ralph, and Spaans during a penalty corner.

Leneke Spaans explodes downfield

The one goal lead was to stand up through half time until Lineke Spaans was to finally explode after stealing the ball and landing a pull around shot against the Terrier goalkeeper.

The fourth period was to be decisive as the solid India Ralph took an assist from Josephine van Wijk to start on onslaught of a 3 goal fourth quarter. Within a period of four minutes the score would be 5-0 as Alec Darrah assisted by Mackenzie Hall and Stella Malinowski would put in a coup de grace to this dominating performance.

The Leopards will now move on to Maryand to play Towson on Sunday. The effort against the Terriers rewarded the Leopards with a 25th RPI record in the national division one record, and a performance worthy of a postseason nod!!

Leopard Celebrate Senior Day With Win Over Number 20 Temple

Coaches Celebrate Win

As the first fall Lafayette team to qualify for post season action, the Leopards got into the mood by knocking off Temple in an exciting overtime win in Easton. All five seniors started the game which opened with a dominating first quarter getting off a 5 shots to none for Temple. The most important shot was a Stella Malinowski penalty stroke at 11:57 which put the Leopards up 1-0.

Spanns gets ready to drive the baseline

Lafayette continued to dominate defensively with a 12-7 edge in shots for the whole game. However, the Owls did kick it into higher gear and scored a tying goal early, 35 seconds into the fourth quarter. This was indeed a contest worthy of the post season as the game went back and fourth for the remainder of regular time.

Spaans Steps Up

As the game went to overtime, the seven vs seven overtime format hindered the normal zone defense of Temple, as Lafayette and Spanns found space to utilize her speed. Fans were treated to her slashing style eluding defenders along the base line. The Lafayette faithful held their breath as the official held his whistle as Owl defenders tried all the could to stop her from dodging multiple players. As the Temple goalkeeper went to ground Spanns took a Darrah pass, pulled back and lifted the ball into the net.

Having qualified for the post season along with American, Bucknell and Boston, the Leopards are still in the hunt for hosting depending in part on the outcome of next week’s American game at Bucknell. American lost yesterday to Brown 2-1.

Lafayette Offense Struggles In 1-0 Loss To Number 15 UMass

The Leopards went to head to head with the visiting Minute Women, falling by one goal for the second consecutive meeting. UMass did out shoot Lafayette 9-5, as they used a strong second half to overcome the defensive stalemate in the first half. The Minute Women were able to control play and by adding two penalty corners to Lafayette’s none in the fourth quarter.

It was even more remarkable given that Lafayette held, for a time an advantage of three field players due to two cards by UMass and with Coach Stone pulling the Lafayette goalkeeper. Lafayette keeper Fragomeni had 3 saves during the contest.

So does this look like the GK is going for ball….I think not!!!!!

The winning goal came at 45 seconds into the final period during a penalty corner. The Minute Women played a very physical game, often pressing the Leopards especially in the second half. Lafayette’s shots came from two by Leneke Spaans, two from Lea Good, and one from Laila Pasic.

There was strong defensive play from Makenzie Switzer and co captain India Ralph. The Leopards will now move on with a League bye next week and meeting Drexel and Temple before a big game with Boston University in two weeks!

Lafayette Downs Providence On The Way to Seven And Four

Leneke Spanns sparks 2-1 victory

Before 307 fans, the Leopards pleased their audience with a 2-1 win. The first half looked like it was going to be a blowout and the first half statistics bear that out. Lafayette out shot the Providence Friars 12-0, out cornered them. 5-3 and outscored them 2-0 even after a deflected penalty stroke. They controlled time in the circle, and seemed by these eyes to dominate play.

Josephine van Wijk powers past Providence

It was only 6:11 into the game when Alex Darrah got her second goal of the weekend. It was a Spanns’ circle penetration and shot, when Darrah found the rebound and delivered it past the Providence goal keeper allowing Lafayette to establish the early lead. The home team Leopards delighted with 7 shots in that opening period. At 7:43 it looked like another point would be added as a result of a penalty stroke as the Providence keeper turned the shot away

Lila Pasic introduces herself to a Friar

The action did not stop in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Spanns took one of her 7 shots in the game and this time connected from the right side of the goal mouth, making the score 2-0 with under 8 minutes left in the half. Providence did manage 3 corners but the Lafayette DPC squad successfully kept the Friars 0 on the scoreboard.

It was the second half when Providence came alive, as perhaps they were thinking about that long homeward trek on I-95 ahead of them. In any case, they came out energized and threw a “zone and high press” at the Leopards and it began to have its effect on ball possession as they began to have more time in their scoring circle. Although they still only had 2 corners in the second half, they did have 5 shots to the Leopards 4.

Suddenly, with 11 minutes ticked off in third quarter Carly Van Benten from Providence found an opening that put the game at 2-1. Leopards needed to redouble their defensive efforts and shut down Providence for the rest of the game. Shots and corners remained level between the teams as Providence continued to try to get the extra goal to tie it up. In one last effort with under 5 minutes to go. Providence pulled their goal keeper as the Leopard defense stiffened, and the final horn sounded giving the Lafayette their win and the 7-4 record.

The Leopards used 23 players during the afternoon as they continue to display strong bench strength. On Friday, Lehigh comes to town not only as an intent rival but a competitor in the Patriot League. It is a key contest as neither team can afford the loss!! A third League win for the Leopards keeps them in the hunt for home field, not to say a place in the league championship tournament.

The American Eagles nearly lost their game with Colgate yesterday but pulled out.a miracle win with one second left on the clock 3-2. They still have yet to play Boston and Bucknell.

But next week, it’s Lehigh our heroines need to focus on.

Lafayette Field Hockey: Intense Battle vs 14th Ranked Syracuse

India Ralph and Lena Thedrian chase down Syracuse’s Hattie Madden

It was a game of inches and chances as Lafayette gave the 14th ranked Syracuse Orange all they could handle. The difference was an early foul that produced a penalty stroke goal by Syracuse, and a goal from a corner with thirty six seconds left in the game. But it was game in which Lafayette proved they could play with the big dogs. The Leopards out shot, out cornered the ACC opponent. All American Leneke Spaans proved she was among the best, by tying up the score at 56:28 in the game with a corner strike after a Katie Gibb insert and Stella Malinowski stop.

Lea Good chases down Syracuse player

It was an uncharacteristically hot day in the 90’s in Syracuse, as both teams seemed to battle the heat. The play went back and forth. In intense play Syracuse collected 3 green cards and and a yellow while Lafayette had two greens and a yellow. The Orange were very physical as they seemed to give fouls rather than let Lafayette advance. Both teams guarded closely, and substituted liberally during the contest.

Spaans winds up to tie the score!!

Lafayette earned 16 corners to Syracuse’s 5 and they out shot their opponent 16-11. The Leopards seemed to get stronger, as the game went on and saw a 12-2 advantage in corners the second half and a 13-4 advantage in shots. In the post game interviews, the Syracuse players felt their pre game scouting allowed them to defend the Leopard corners. The Leopards however, were able to penetrate the fast Orange defense and counter the opponent’s attempted pressure during the game.

We always enjoy a win but there was nothing in this game that would provoke a sad feeling. Lafayette can hold their head high, and realize that they have not played their best hockey yet. They are a very dangerous team. Meanwhile the second season approaches with the first Patriot League game happening this Friday against Holy Cross in Worchester. They should not take the Crusaders lightly as these League games have all the intensity of opening day.

The American Eagles demonstrated their own danger, losing in overtime to the number 3 ranked Virginia Cavaliers, Holy Cross lost to a good Northeastern team, 1-2, Lehigh beat Fairfield 2-1, Bucknell beat Columbia 2-1, and Colgate lost to Michigan State 0-5.

Leopards’ Victory: Deep Bench and 29 Shots

Lea Good delivers one of 29 shots

The Leopards finally walked way with the fourth win of the season against the Bobcats of Quinnipiac, following a ton of shots and an amazingly deep bench 3-2. Think twenty nine shots ( sixteen on goal), twenty one players seeing action on the pitch, three different players scored goals while the Bobcats had 8 shots 5 on goal, 4 defensive saves, 9 saves by their goalkeeper. They used only 4 players from their bench but found the back of the net twice during the game.

Laine Delmotte delivers the ball to Stella Malinowski

Quinnipiac jumped out to a lead in the first quarter behind a 3 shot to 1 advantage at 9:28 into the game. following a lift past two Leopard defenders and a shot into the left corner. For the moment it looked like the momentum was moving in the Bobcats favor. The home crowd of 403 fans were about to see the Leopards turn it on. Lafayette managed 15 shots to 1 for the visitors in second quarter, with a 5-0 penalty corner advantage as well. Finally, India Ralph delivered a deftly tipped the ball into the back of the net tying the score at 1-1 at 22:21 Mackenzie Hall and Leneke Spaans were helpers on the goal. Spaans attracted as many as three defenders at times, enabling her and the Leopard offense to find openings. She and Stella Malinowski were involved in the second go ahead goal by freshman Laila Pasic, who delivered by tipping the ball into the net at 33:44. It was the first goal of her career and first appearance on the turf this season!!

Spaans escapes triple coverage

To the credit of Quinnipiac, they kept fighting and tied up the score 4 minutes later, and seeming to breathe life into the Bobcats who had a 3 -2 advantage in penalty corners in the third quarter, but the Leopards still had the advantage in shots 6-3.

Josephine van Wijk delivered the winning go ahead goal at 44:47 with help from Lineke Spaans again on a tip in. Van Wijk had a team leading 5 shot 3 on goal during the contest.

Mackenzie Hall closes in

At end of the contest the players and close fans were treated to a post game tailgate by the ever supportive parent delegation.

Lafayette hits the road to Syracuse to play the Orangemen on Sunday, their first ranked opponent of the season. Syracuse is 3-1 and are coming off a 2-0 win against Northeastern. Last Season’s game in Easton was cancelled because of a thunderstorm. They are ranked 14th in the NFHCA poll. Their one loss came at the hands of Ohio State 0-5.

Lafayette Extends It’s Streak To 3-0 In Dominant Win over Dartmouth

Leopards celebrate Stella Malinowski third period goal

The Leopards travelled to Hanover, N.H. and Dartmouth College for the first ever meeting by the two schools in Field Hockey. Lafayette made the most of the opportunity by recording a 3-0 result, using a crushing defense and an opportunistic offense. Lafayette had 18 shots while dominating play on their side of the pitch for most of the game. Dartmouth was able to muster 7 shots, 4 of which were made in the third quarter. The Dartmouth GK, Isabel Andrews, stopped 8 shots. Raffi Fragomeni earned her second shutout of the season while only having to turn away 1 shot, but was very active directing the Leopard defense.

The Lafayette scoring was spread around to three different players. Lena Thedrian opened the scoring in the second quarter at 16:14 using a rebound after a corner attempt. Early scoring continued as Stella Malinowski again used a rebound to find the back of the cage two minutes into the second half. She also had the only assist for the Leopards later on as Alex Darrah found the low far side of the goal at 59:40.

Aside from the goals, offense pressure came from 9 different shot takers, Josephine van Wijk recorded 5 shots, Mackenzie Hall and Lineke Spaans both had three, Alex Darrah had 2 shots, while India Ralph, Stella Malinowski, Lena Thedrian, Olvia Key, Maddie Evans all recorded one shot!

There were no cards during the game. The Leopards will now travel a short distance for a Sunday game with the University of New Hampshire. Who are at the moment 1-2, having lost to St. Joes and UConn, but picking up a big win against Qinnipiac 4-0 in Hamden earlier today. It will be New Hampshire’s home opener. In last meeting, Lafayette came away with a 1-0 win. The first matchup was in 2008 where the Leopards prevailed 2-3.