LAFAYETTE TO PLAY 2 TOP 25 TEAMS IN FIRST FOUR GAMES
The Lafayette Leopards will have a chance to make a huge statement right from the beginning of the season. The top 25 preseason rankings have come out and Lafayette will play 2 teams ranked in the top 25 out of the 4 early games. Syracuse is ranked 18 and the Leopards will travel to upstate New York to meet them at 6 pm Monday September 2nd. Later on in the week our Maroon heroines will meet Liberty University, ranked number 20, at 12 pm in Lynchburg, Va. the following Sunday. Earlier on Friday they will arrive at Lynchburg for a 7pm game with Appalachian State!! Of course, the opening home game will be with VCU on Friday August 30. That is the opening day for virtually all of division one.
Should the Leopards be successful in those four games it would be hard to argue they should not be listed in the top 25. This is a great opportunity. Lafayette has already played a preseason scrimmage with number 22 Albany. Of course, it must be first games first and later this week I will preview VCU. I have watched the first game VCU had last year ( which they lost in strokes), and perhaps it might have clues as what the Leopards might expect on Friday.
Meanwhile the rest of the Patriot League begins their seasons with a group of competitive games. Colgate will play Central Michigan at 2pm, American hosts New Hampshire at 3pm, Bucknell hosts James Madison at 4 pm, Lehigh is at Rider at the same time, Holy Cross will host Northeastern at 6pm, and Boston University will be in Ohio playing Ohio at 7pm on the 31st. Ohio University beat Boston in last years NCAA first round!! Lafayette of course will host VCU at 7pm under the lights on August 30.
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Looking at the schedule, Lafayette will play 4 preseason top 25 games. The other two will be Boston University ranked 23 on Oct 5th and William and Mary ranked 25 on Oct 20th at home. I expect, given their schedule that American could be a candidate for national ranking should they prevail in their games. The game with American will be the last game in the regular season before the playoffs on Nov 2nd in DC.
Grace Angelella tangles with the Drexel goalkeeper
FYI, the top five in the NFHCA poll are UNC, Maryland, Duke, UConn, and Princeton.
In what seems like eons ago, (precisely 56 years) I arrived at a Liberal Arts college called Lafayette. It was there that I experienced orientation, thankfully not the same orientation experienced by our first year’s this weekend. Our field hockey team along with the other varsity teams this weekend, helped our new class to their rooms. Fifty six years ago, none of that was available to us. As we assembled as a class, we got the admonishment from President Bergathon to ” look to the right of you and the left and one of you standing there will not be at Lafayette by the end of the school year.” Aside from being of decent academic reputation, I was impressed by Lafayette’s football stadium and hoped to play on the floor of that stadium. In those days freshman were not allowed to play on varsity teams, and we practiced in an empty lot behind Markle as freshman. We did indeed play a game with the Lehigh freshman on Fisher field later in semester.
We were isolated in other ways. Most of the upperclassmen lived in 19 fraternities or 3 social dorms. Freshman were in dorms. There were no women at that time, and we looked forward to the four social weekends that semester. In the meantime, it was pretty much a monastic existence aside from the occasional forays to local women’s college’s in the area.
It was at that orientation we received our “dinks.” small beanies we were to wear (until we got smart), that identified us as freshman, who could be called upon by an upperclassman, demanding we sing the alma mater or school fight song. On football weekends the freshman class formed a large “L” within which the team ran out before the game. We sat in the designated freshmen area, and formed the foundation of support for our football representatives.
Overtime against Lehigh last year
Thankfully, the dinks are gone, the women are in residence, and the freshman isolation has evaporated. I don’t know what goes on in orientation these days, but from what I could learn, it does include a tour, not of the campus, but the town environment. Buses are now provided for our young Leopards to go the mall on week ends, or to help our young charges avoid the hike from the bottom of the hill.
I hope they are still telling about the other things that make Lafayette what it is. Do they get briefed on the ghost that inhabits the upper floors of Pardee?? Do they know about the early history of the college, the fire that burned down Pardee in the 19th century apparently started by a careless chemistry student. ( which confirmed the foolishness, according to our liberal arts faculty, of filling ” Pardee with noxious odors).” How about the gift of an ancient Egyptian neckless from an alumnus that was stolen from College in the 1980’s and bought at auction by a Boston Museum a decade later. The theft was not discovered until then. In the meanwhile, the college archivist whose responsibility it would have been to catalog the artifact, was killed under mysterious circumstances. A connection ??!! ( I can attest to the existence of the necklace having seen it on display in library during my student tenure)! Orientation indeed!!
Most of all I would hope our rivalry with Lehigh is covered. Freshmen were required to build the bonfire ( long ago stopped) before the Lehigh football game. I can say our class of 1967 had the tallest bonfire never lit. Not only was it built with creosote soaked railroad ties, which according to the fire Marshall, would have melted the windows of Markle, but was at least 5 stories tall. We freshman would have to guard the bonfire to ward off Lehigh invaders who might light it prematurely. Sadly, in that year President Kennedy was assassinated and the game was postponed a week. ( the only time that happened).
Sports history is rampant surrounding the Rivalry. Consider “Wrong Way Down” who set a record in the 1918 contest when he completed a 115 yard touchdown run, scampering the wrong way, circling the goals post and turning upfield and eventually scoring the right way. Down later turned to baseball and played with the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Athletics and Brooklyn Dodgers. Legend has it, that he once reached second base and repeated his football feat by attempting to steal first base!!!. I wonder what his major was at Lehigh!!
One year, Lehigh students were able to saw the sword off that the Lafayette statue displayed in front of Colton Chapel. I have reminded myself to look to see if it ever was reclaimed. For years, Lafayette statues were cocooned in wooden boxes to deter the “Brown Invaders.”
For years, the words “Lehigh S S” was emblazoned on the Lehigh Library steps. There have also been skywriting, banner flying and all manner of pranks during the years.
The “Rivalry” is a part of every sport, every season, and support on that day is extremely important. Our field hockey team had won 13 straight games with Lehigh until two years ago. Lehigh won in overtime 1-0 despite having been outcornered and outshot that evening. That year, during a pregame cocktail party at the Lehigh Football Game, that Field Hockey game was toasted by the Lehigh President in front of we Lafayette faithful. Never Again!!
Last year’s game ended with a Leopard win in overtime. You cannot read a Lehigh Field Hockey web page without mentioning the “RIVALRY.” This year the Leopards will make the trek on Friday night on October 18th at 7pm to Lehigh. Be there, because Lehigh will there in force!!!
Yes, the dink is gone but there is still plenty to absorb by a our newest class.
Doctor Jarrod Spencer is a sports psychologist located in Bethlehem Pa. Aside from being a friend, Jarrod is a graduate of Lafayette College and a former athlete. ( football and high school wrestler). He is the celebrated author of “Mind of the Athlete,” where he explores the psychology that impair or enhance the performance of athletes. His findings can also support coaches, parents and almost everyone who needs to compete or support someone who needs to perform on the field of their choice.
Recently in his blog he published a piece entitled ” 10 Reasons Why Winners Win.” In the article he enumerates the characteristic of the classic winner and answers the question of how winners continue to win. Yes, ability has a lot to do with winning and losing, but I have seen plenty of talented athletic team not reach their full potential. Here are his ten reasons for all to consider.
1. Driven by a love of winning not by a fear of losing
Many times I have seen teams strategically and tactically try not to lose. In football, most of you will be familiar with the “prevent defense.” In reality in many cases it just prevents winning in close games. Every sport has its prevent attitude and strategy. This doesn’t mean you are not “smart” strategically” but trying not to lose more often than not prevents you from winning.
2. Remain relentlessly optimistic at all time
Pessimism especially on the field is a killer. It prevents attacking your opponent for fear of losing
3. Focus on solutions when things go bad
Retreating to the sidelines emotionally, or. physically does no one any good. It is said in field hockey in particular that 2-0 is the most dangerous score for the leader. One goal gets you close to a tie and maybe a win. There are always solutions if not for this game, but the next.
4. Fueled by feelings of excitement more than nervousness
Sports is all about emotions. There is nothing wrong with being nervous unless it is overwhelming and stops you from doing that you have been training to do!!
5. Confidence comes from excessive preparation
Knowing what to expect on the field makes you ready to succeed. Prepare so that actions become proactive rather than excitedly reactive. Practice until you have that muscle memory down, know where your teammates are on the field and have situational awareness.
6. Surround yourself with like minded positive people
This is a team sport, you don’t need downers. That doesn’t mean you can’t learn from critical encouragement.
7. Expect to win each time you play
There is no team that can’t be beaten on any given day and today is YOUR day.
8. Slow down the game in your mind and think clearly
That does not mean literally slowing down on the field or decreasing the tempo but use your preparation to break the game into its component parts mentallly
9. As the games gets bigger, your focus gets. more precise
Your good opponents believe they can win as much as you so, you must do the small things great to get better advantge
10. Losing is not a an option….you either win or learn
It’s the sum of all the other points with the admonition to learn from your mistakes and even a loss won’t be a failure.
I would add a last point, never, never, never lose your poise. You will not learn, by losing control on the field. You will want your next effort to be better.
It was a good scrimmage….not the one that I am sure the players or coaches had wished for its outcome, but it will be an exercise that will make them ready for the season to come in 9 days. Albany is a good team, and the Leopards held them at bay until 5:52 left in third quarter when they struck using a crossing pass to an awaiting Dane in front of the cage who tapped it in . They followed at 8:50 on a corner the fourth and at 6:17 for the final goal in regulation time. Coach Stone, in those quarters, began to substitute liberally. On the other hand, Albany had only 6 players on the bench to sub in.
In the next 9 days the outcome of the scrimmage impressed on me, the need for the two “Ts” tempo and teamwork. The game as played in division one requires those T’s to be successful but it takes time for that to jell. I believe this team has amazing talent, but will take awhile for its true potential to blossom. After all, they have only been together for little more than week.
Sophie Carr makes her presence known to an Albany midfielder
I was again impressed with Grace Angelella and Sydney Woolston. Today, Mary Gould also showed grittiness and desire on the field. The team as whole, though was stymied by the skillful Albany Danes, and Lafayette let them set their defense as the game went on. There were moments when Lafayette got a jump on Albany but their goalies came up strong to thwart a score.
I thought Lafayette’s goalie’s were also strong in the cage and came up with several key saves.
The game was played during a break in some torrential rains which made the trip home the “journey through hell.” Pam and I were alone in the stands which inhibited us from executed a wave. The next game will be for real on Aug 30th and I know we will be at our best. We will need the stands full and hearty voices at the ready!!
Meanwhile…….
Lafayette Has Added an Additional Game
On Monday Sept 2 @ 6pm the Leopards will play ACC opponent Syracuse @ Syracuse. This is a terrific opportunity our Leopards and raises the number of regular season games to 18.
The Leopards will board their vehicles on Wednesday to make the long trek to the University of Albany, to play one of their toughest opponents they will see this year. Albany has 13 straight winning seasons under head Coach Phil Sykes, including a final four appearance in 2014. Last year they amassed a 16-5 record including a 4-0 win against Lafayette in Easton. They are again picked to win the American East title this year. So the Leopards are again facing another preseason favorite to win their conference title.
In last year’s game the Danes built on a three goal first period lead, to win 4-0. Three of those who scored, # 5 McCrudden, #16 Rocktaeschel and # 12 Burchell will return this season. Sykes welcomed 7 new players, 6 freshman, and 1 transfer from Indiana, giving him a typical Albany squad of 18. There are 2 seniors listed on the squad. One will be # 3 Dana Bozek, their second leading scorer who had 11 goals and 4 assists.
Sykes has mentioned in interviews that integrating his new players is his biggest challenge and given that almost 40 percent of his squad is newcomers, he probably is telling the truth. But Albany has found ways to succeed, and I expect this team to be no exception. Aside from their league schedule they will play Harvard, Princeton, North Carolina and Delaware who look to be their toughest opponents.
This will be Albany’s first scrimmage, so I expect the opportunity to play against people with different colored jerseys on a full field is welcome. The Leopards of course will be playing their second scrimmage in three days but it will be their last chance before the real games begin on August 30 against VCU.
The weather looks a little iffy with thunderstorms predicted sometime during the day! Go Pards!!
The scrimmage was played under game conditions at Fairfield and for 3 quarters it was pretty much a stand off. But the in fourth quarter, Lafayette found it’s pace and timing. The athleticism that was evident in the previous three quarters began to pay off. It all started with a strong strike by Grace Angelella from the top of the circle, that found Felicitas Hannes in front of the cage for the deflection. The other goal during regulation time came later in the fourth quarter from a now familiar rocket by Lisa Van der Geest past the Fairfield goalkeeper.
The third goal was from Ana Steps receiving a pass on a give and go during the 7 v7 practice round. Now, the score doesn’t matter all that much in a scrimmage, but I was impressed with the athleticism and the improvement from everyone on the team. Secondly, the newer players were making their presence felt.
Audrey Sawers and Cam Costello on a corner
Alex Talkow passes to a teammate
Audrey Sawers launches one!!
If people know me, I never pander, but this was an impressive afternoon. lf I detailed every contribution, it would have to be an alphabetical list from the entire Lafayette side. This will give Coach Stone an enviable problem. There are A LOT of good hockey players on this team. The Leopards will be deep, and she could put almost anyone on the field without a concern. The question will be, who will be the best under particular circumstances during the season. A great problem to have!!! It also means practices will be challenging and competitive.
I am loathe to acknowledge specific players for fear of leaving someone out, but there were several that deserve mention because they either surprised how quickly they became adapted to the college game, or a veteran who has made strides from last year. Firs,t I was pleased to see Sophie Carr back on the turf. Anyone who has experienced a serious knee injury must know the courage it take to get back to the same level without some trepidation. She showed me her character, and played well, even mixing it up in front of the circle. Well done Sophie!! It shows the great courage and character that we all know you have.
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Simone Hefting, is as advertised and is a terrific athlete. She showed her skill will be of great benefit to the team as the season progresses. I feel compelled to mention Sydney Woolston, who showed her strength and competitiveness, and was noticed not only by me, but several of the Maroon fans on the sideline. Both of our goal keepers, Sarah Park and Haile Abbott, looked more than ready, After all what is better than 0 goals against!
As a playmaker Grace Angelella showed great visibility of the field and leadership from her midfield position. Audrey Sawers will intimidate defenses, and Caroline Turnbull and Cam Costello are the gears that make it all work together. Ana Steps seems inspired and Lisa, well, she is Lisa. Mary Gould showed the work she has put in being prepared for the season. Hanna Lewis was a terrific surprise. Forgive me, I have not seen a tape on you before, but I am looking to see more of what you displayed today.
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This team is good maybe even very good. The next test is Albany on Wednesday and that will be a step up. It’s only the beginning and no doubt in order to beat our Patriot League foes we will have to be even better, but today was a good start!!
It’s been hours of practice, drills, and other preparation but come tomorrow, the 2019 edition of Lafayette Field Hockey gets to apply all that training against a real opponent in a controlled scrimmage against the Fairfield Stags in Fairfield Connecticut. Fairfield used to be a member of the Patriot League about 15 years ago, until the league decided that all schools must be all sports members of the League. Two years ago the rivalry was renewed with a home and home series. In the first game Lafayette won with several outstanding performances by our younger players. Last year Fairfield traveled to Easton for the first game of the season and came back with a 3-1 victory.
Lafayette opened the game with an unassisted goal from Caroline Turnbull but Fairfield was to answer with a goal less than a minute later, from Kaley McMullen. That was followed by a late period goal by Iona Armour, and a second period goal by Danielle Profita. Lafayette was to outshoot Fairfield 13-10 and out corner them 6-4 but couldn’t seem to find their way past goalkeeper Zoe Rosen. Rosen and Profita are back as is Turnbull from Lafayette.
Fairfield is the preseason favorite to win the NEC this year as the Stags went to the MAAC championship game finishing with a 12-9 record. Rosen, by the end of the season sported a gaudy 1.05 goals against average during the year, seventh best in the nation. The Fairfield coach Jackie Kane like the Lafayette Coach Jennifer Stone is a Pennsylvania native and both are returning alumna coaches of their respective schools. The Leopards were 4-2 in the Patriot League and made it to the PL playoffs last year.
Grace Angelella enters the circle in the first half against Fairfield
So, even though this is “just” a scrimmage, the meeting poses some interesting challenges and good competition to prepare for the regular season. The score may not be that important, but Lafayette coaches will be looking at the effectiveness of new personnel combinations and how quickly the first year players are adjusting to the college division one game.
I expect virtually everyone will get to see action tomorrow which makes it all that much more interesting for fans. The Coaches will use the opportunity to answer questions of their own. It will be 12 days when the action will be for the record books, tomorrow will be an important step in being prepared for that day.
As predicted here several days ago, the Leopards have been picked in the top four by the League SIDs and Coaches, released today by the Patriot League. Coaches and SID’s cannot vote for their own team. Senior Lisa Van der Geest and Sophomore Molly McAndrews were elected to the preseason all league team. Lisa was also named preseason defensive player of the year. She averaged 3.26 shots per game and had 6 assists. She scored six goals and 18 points. Lisa was a third team all American last year. McAndrews was first team all league last year, and rookie of the year.
Patriot League rookie of the year weaves her way to the goal in 2018
In addition, as predicted the Leopards were picked in the top four at third this year. Last year Lafayette was fourth in the League, but could have finished second had they beaten Bucknell in the last game. Having won against American last year 3-1, the Leopards would have, based on tiebreakers, slipped into the second spot.
Boston University is picked for first with 70 points and 10 first place votes, American is second with 64 points and 4 first place votes, Lafayette is third with 50 votes, Bucknell is fourth with 44 points Lehigh is fifth with 30 points, Holy Cross is sixth with 22 points and Colgate is seventh with 14 points. In my experience Lafayette has NEVER been picked first in a preseason poll even when they had back to back championships several years ago.
Audrey Sawers makes her way upfield last spring
Junior Noor Coenen from American was named offensive player of the year. Other notable observations is that Patriot League teams will need to face Marcia LaPlante for one more year at Holy Cross. who is named to the PL all league team. I can’t argue these picks. Even though Boston only has two preseason all league picks, Kiley Gallagher and Ailsa Connolly on the all league team, they are picked for first, American has three, Coenen ,Jette Dieckmann, and Georgia Davies a Junior, Senior and Sophomore respectively. Davies and Dieckmann were not members of the all league team last year.
Oliva Harris from Bucknell was an all league selection last year and is now in the preseason all league team as GK. Taylor Cassamassa, a Junior, appears on the list for Colgate and Lenke Havas the junior defender from Lehigh reappears after her all league selection last year.
The predicted order of finish according to this poll with 1) Boston 2) American) 3) Lafayette 4) Bucknell 5) Lehigh 6) Holy Cross 7) Colgate is close to where I would have predicted. My changes would have been Lafayette at least second, and my surprise would be Colgate at 5) therefore making Bucknell and American at 3 and 4.
Anna Steps breaks the American press
Of those not named at Lafayette, I expect a big year from Audrey Sawers, and I predict Rookie Simone Hefting will have a major impact as the season progresses. Anna Steps has already demonstrated her skill, and a full season, injury free, will help the Leopards a lot. Also unmentioned was second team all leaguer, Caroline Turnbull who will not lose a step her senior year. I also expect to see Grace Angelella as an important contributor this year, The Leopards will be deep, with help from some returning players who were sidelined with injuries last year, as well as some of the new players. They have a plethora of returning talent who I expect will enhance Lafayette’s chances to reach the post season
We will get a chance to see in five days, at the first intercollegiate scrimmage, how good Lafayette could be!! Go Pards,,, BE THERE!!!
Wading through the NCAA gobbledygook, pre-season practice for division one field hockey may start about 21 days before the first game. So counting backwards from the Leopards August 30 game with VCU, our Leopards and the rest of the college hockey world should be on their turf with two a days as I write this. I have heard some of our more disparate team members started arriving last Thursday. For the players it may seem like a long time to prepare for the season, but move in and orientation for new students is Aug 23 with classes starting Aug 26. So, for our seven new first year players, it will be a short time to get used to new teammates and the rigors and demands of a division one sport.
During that time, there will be two scrimmages as well. It’s a challenge for coaches as well as players. The coaches must decide where everyone fits, and to see where players best complement one other. Likewise, players need time to adjust. Field Hockey is fluid game and so much depends on the mesh of the players on the field. For our first year players the speed of the ball and the movement of teammates will be a challenge.
Fitness is important, but the time is past to worry about that. If, as a player, you haven’t prepared yourself, it is unlikely you will be able to keep up with the other mental demands of preseason. Psychologically, for new players, the adjustment will be harder not having the benefit of a spring season. But I have seen many of them play at Spooky Nook, camps and national competitions in their home country. Coach Stone will be pleased with her addition of 7 solid players.
Molly McAndrews closes in on the ball
If past is prologue, families have dropped off their offspring, amid tears and cheers. The fun part of pictures and first team meals are already in the books and first beep tests, mile runs and other fitness tests are already endured. It is only 6 days before they will see their first college competition of the year at Fairfield, and we will get our first legitimate glimpse of 2019 Leopards in action.
This could be an EXCELLENT team, but that may well depend on the next two weeks….. “effort in.. equals results out.” In the coming days, there will be meaningless preseason picks ( I will save my comments until after that release), but I fully expect Lafayette to be picked in the top four and eligible for post season patriot league play, anything less would be a step backwards. The league will be interesting with two teams ( American and Lehigh) bringing in 10 or more new players. Colgate will be playing a largely veteran team and the always tough Boston team looks at least as good as last year. Holy Cross has always been a thorn in our side and Bucknell is always ready. To my cursory observation though, there is no team on this schedule that Lafayette is beyond being successful against. More about that for later articles!!
At the post game news conference with Janneke Schopman and Erin Matson who scored three goals in the 5-1 win against Chile, the word, connections came up. Erin revealed that connecting in this game after the disappointing loss in the semi-final on Tuesday was a theme for this contest. Connect they did for five goals with virtually all them the result of assists and passes from teammates.
The first two minutes of the game saw both teams come out determined but it was the US who was to score first off a Lauren Moyer backhanded crossed off the pads of the Chilean goalie. However, Chile responded a minute later with a goal of there own. It was at this point Head Coach Schopman recalled not knowing how the game was going to go. If you score the first goal those two minutes after a goal is important she indicated. “It was at that point I didn’t know how the game would go.”
But the team stuck together and played together to light up the scoreboard four more times to seal a solid victory and the bronze medal. First half domination was missing in previous games but the team responded in the second quarter this time. In the third minute, captain Kathleen Sharkey sent the ball to Erin Matson weaving between two defenders and she delivered a backhand into the goal. Sharkey got a goal of her own in the 21 st minute after a series of cross field passes, ended on her stick at the top of the circle after which she delivered a rocket into the cage. The fourth and final goal of the first half was supplied by Matson after a rebound picked up by Ashley Hoffman who passed to Amanda Magadan whose shot rebounded only to be picked up by Matson who scored her second goal of the evening. CONNECTIONS INDEED!!
In the third quarter it was the defense who shined through the use of a high press that stymied Chile’s renewed effort in search of a comeback.
The fourth quarter saw witness to Matson’s 3rd goal in the 52nd minute. Hoffman received the insert and dragged back to Matson who finished …5-1 USA.
Coach Shopman after the game revealed, the team would receive 2 1/2 weeks off after which they would begin preparation for another Olympic qualifier after the Oceana Cup. That game would be probably be on the road with a team to be determined.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 