Category: Sports

In a hard fought battle the Leopards battled number 20 James Madison University in a 3-1 loss at Rappolt field. This was less than 24 hours after they finished an overtime game with American University. It took 23 minutes and 45 seconds for JMU to find the back of the cage as goalkeeper Kaitlyn Arnold had another great game in the cage recording six saves, many of them spectacular while diving and leaping in the air.

The half ended with the score 1-0 but it only took 3 minutes and 45 seconds for Amanda Magadan to even it all up 1-1 with her sixth goal of the season. The game went back and forth as the Lafayette defense turned back several strong attacks by the JMU midfielders and forwards. In the end, fatigue seemed to set in as JMU was able to score two more goals to lock up the win.

JMU had 15 shots, nine of which were on goal, while Lafayette had nine shots, five of which were on goal. If you were to break it up by periods, James Madison had 11 shots in the first half against five for the Leopards while shots were equal 4 to 4 in the second period.

The team will play the first  of two remaining Patriot League games against Bucknell on Saturday. The Leopards will need to win both games to assure themselves of a berth in the Patriot League tournament. A loss by Bucknell will eliminate them from post season play. The Leopards can build on these two past games to take to Lewisburg. Lafayette is in my estimation a good team, and should they get the offense rolling could not only win next week but take that momentum into post season play.

Rosa Jonckheer’s return to the attack should stimulate the front line and take some pressure off of Amanda Magadan. They should be able to hold on to the ball longer and give their defense a break. There were some great moments in the last two games and the Leopards will all need to raise the level of their game collectively, and  then they could present Bucknell with formidable problems.

Bucknell is very good on their home turf, a slightly harder turf than is found at Rappolt Field. The Leopards will travel on Friday to prepare for the Saturday game in what will be played in a playoff atmosphere. It should be great for hockey fans!!

The Lafayette defense played well but a shot by American with a little more than minute into the second overtime dashed the Leopards hope for an upset win this afternoon. Katelyn Arnold stood tall in the cage with 8 saves assisted by Cody Hunsicker who had 2 saves of her own to fight American to a regular time 1-1 tie.

The Leopards opened scoring on a corner opportunity with only 5 minutes gone in the first period. Ellen Colbourne delivered to Amy Turner who tapped it to Amanda Magadan who rifled the shot past the American goalie. Although the first period saw the Leopards end it with a 1-0 lead, much of the offense was on the side of American. American had 8 shots with one save. The Eagles as is their custom used their excellent transition game to challenge the Leopards thoughout the game. There were several occasions that Lafayette was able to get around the overcommitted eagles and it was one of those moments that led to the corner and the Lafayette goal.

The second period saw American redouble their efforts as they were to launch several shots at Kaitlynn Arnold who again was magnificent in the goal. However at 43:06 on a corner of their own, American’s Angela Virtua launched a shot to be deflected by Natalie March for their first and only goal of the second period. It was nine shots to three with two saves for Lafayette as the defense kept Lafayette within striking distance.

The  first overtime period visually was to look much the same, as the Leopards turned away the Eagles several times giving up 3 shots while delivering two of their own, one by Rosa Jonckheer who returned to the turf after a 5 game recovery from an injury.  The first overtime period ended in a tie.

The second period saw early Eagle action as the tired Leopard defense having performed brilliantly all game gave up the winning goal on a cross at 86:37 by Lucy Whalley.

The Leopards will take on JMU tomorrow at 2 pm and next Saturday will have a must win game at Bucknell. Bucknell lost in a shoot out at Holy Cross making them 1-3 in the League while the Leopards are 2-2 having lost to Holy Cross and now American. Lafayette has still to meet with Lehigh as well as Bucknell and Bucknell will follow next week’s game  with a game at Colgate. Bucknell, Lafayette, Holy Cross and Lehigh could find themselves in a tiebreaker situation at the end of the season. Lafayette would avoid that with a win next week and against Lehigh the following week. More about that in a new article later on.

There are seven teams in the Patriot League and four teams will advance to the league playoffs in a single elimination tournament at the end of season. The winner gets an invite to the NCAA tournament regardless of record. There is also a rare possibility that a second team could be added as an at large invitee based on RPI. That would certainly take an RPI better than 16 at least, to be considered by the selection committee.

At the moment,  the league records are as follows, American is 3-0, Boston  2-1, Lafayette  2-1, Holy Cross is 2-2, Lehigh 2-2, Bucknell 1-2 and Colgate 0-4. American plays Lafayette on Saturday and follows with Colgate and Boston in subsequent weeks. Aside from American, Lafayette will have Bucknell @ Bucknell and Lehigh @ home. Boston will play Lehigh this week-end and follow with Holy Cross, before a show down with American. Lehigh finishes with Lafayette.  Holy Cross will host Bucknell on Saturday at 11 am, and followed with Boston @ Boston Oct 21st. Bucknell of course has it’s game this weekend with Holy Cross and follows @ home with Lafayette and finishes with Colgate. Colgate’s games have been already stated.

With 7 members in the league the number 4 becomes paramount. Either a 4 win record or a 4 loss record virtually guarantees a spot in or out. Colgate has 4 losses it will not be playing in the post season. A win by American over Lafayette means they are in for sure with 4 league wins and a leading candidate to host, depending on the head to head records at the end. Lafayette is playing for it’s 3rd win which would put it one win away from clinching a playoff berth and possibly hosting based on the head to head tiebreaker. The hosting spot may go the last weekend when Boston meets American. Holy Cross and Bucknell will be in a struggle to avoid three losses with tough games to follow the following week. If  Lehigh loses to Boston on Saturday they are in a must win situation with Lafayette at Lafayette in the last league game of the season.

Yes, it is one game at a time, but for many of the teams on the short side of scores this weekend, it will put them within one game of elimination. The Leopards could help themselves with a win to enable them, to host and put them within one game of clinching a spot in the post season. So one game at time for our Pards. The Leopards need to concentrate on overcoming the Eagles this weekend, and THEN on to the next game.

The Leopards followed a disappointing  loss the previous, day by making the two hour trip to the University of Albany, losing 4-0 where there were moments of encouragement but ultimately not being able to solve the Albany pressure especially in the first half. Albany scored 3 first half goals on penalty corners, the first coming at 16:08 into the game on a broken play. Most of the play in that half was in the Leopard defensive side of the field as Albany was able to turn back and counter Lafayette attempts to transition to other side of the field. Perhaps it was the grind of almost 1,000 miles on a bus and the short turn around, but the Leopards gave up the last two goals of the half game near the end of the half at 32:50 and after time had expired on penalty corners. The result was a 3-0 deficit.

The second half was better for the Leopards ,if only for the fact that they withstood 17 shots mainly on the outstanding work by senior captain and goalie Katelyn Arnold who turned away 11 shots in probably her best day of the season.  The Danes did manage a goal at 42:35 from the field ,which ended scoring. Lafayette did have a chance to put a mark on the board with no time left in the game on a corner opportunity of their own. They managed two shots during that corner as every field player moved up to help, to no avail.

Throughout the game the  Albany Danes were able to thwart the Leopards clearing of the ball and were able to double and triple team, shutting off space. When Lafayette was able to  deliver long passes there were several opportunities that could not get converted to goals.

It is fall break at Lafayette and the Leopards will return home to lick their wounds but are still at 7-5 and 2-1 in league play, tied with Boston University. As far as post season play goes, their fate is in their hands ( or sticks in this sport). They meet the Patriot League leader at home this Saturday and can regain first place with a win and enhance their chances to host the Patriot League tournament. They follow that game with a game on Sunday with JMU before traveling to Bucknell  next week for another league game and perhaps an opportunity to wrap up qualifying for the post season. Lehigh is the last contest which could prove to be important, depending on the outcome of the other games.

Defender Rachel Bird did not dress due to a sprain, and Rosa Jonckheer is still nursing sore shins. Hopefully, as the season nears its climax we will see them both return to the turf soon.

This saturday, Lafayette will play another homecoming game with a Patriot League rival, Holy Cross. The Leopards will arrive with a 7-3 record and will defend a 2-0 league record. Holy Cross has a 5-5 record with a 1-2 league record. So why be wary? This is a team that has been improving under Head Coach Lindsay Jackson. Last year, against the Leopards they  had a remarkable come from behind victory (aided by an unusual 10 minute yellow card against Lafayette), and this year, they are just as tough in the second half coming from behind in several games and winning several overtime games. Holy Cross didn’t quite make the playoffs last year, missing on a tie breaker with Lafayette and Bucknell. This game could be decided on emotion as well as skill. The two teams have one common opponent in the conference, Colgate, who Holy Cross beat in overtime, after knotting the score late in the second period. In out of conference games, there is another common opponent, Fairfield which Holy Cross beat 4-3 in overtime while the Leopards beat Fairfield 3-2 in the first game of the season.

Holy Cross is led by Maureen Conolly who is leading the league in shots and goals. However,  Emily Loprete scored two goals in the Colgate game. In last sunday’s contest Temple won, scoring two goals in the second half to defeat the Crusader’s two to nil. Holy Cross’ two league losses came at the hands of American and Lehigh.

The statistics may reveal more. Offensive production is similar, in that Lafayette has scored 1.9 goals per game vs. Holy Cross’ 1.8. But in goals against, the Leopards have only let in 1.9 while the Crusaders have let in 2.6. Lafayette has the stronger schedule with field hockey corner ranking Holy Cross  SOS next to last in division one.

However, Lafayette should not take them lightly, a loss for the Crusaders would put Holy Cross in a very difficult position, with 3 losses and Boston and Bucknell left to play in the league. A win by the Leopards would put them in great position to make at the playoffs , but  also sets up a showdown with American next week, and an ability to make a statement on where the playoffs will be.

So the bottom line for the Leopards is play good defense, watch out for Loprete and Conolly, take advantage of scoring opportunities, and carry that winning attitude for the whole game because this team will not go to sleep in the second half.

Unfortunately, again there will be no video for the game.

Since there was no video during the match here is the first minute and twenty seconds .

Cold efficiency was the impression left to me at Colgate’s Tyler Field by the end of a game that saw the Leopards beat the Raiders 4-0. As predicted, it was a cool and cloudy upper New York fall day. The leaves were just about to change but had not really begun their customary cacophony of color for this time of year. For me, the five hour trip by car left plenty of time to think of previous trips to Hamilton, New York and the challenges faced by a homecoming Colgate. My fears not withstanding, by the time the Leopards got into mid game  I could sit and enjoy this team that is beginning to show real cohesiveness.

Yes it took 20 shots to score 4 goals ( a respectable 20 per cent rate of success), but it also took Colgate 9 saves or it would have been even more one sided. After a start, where the Leopards looked as  if they would match Colgate’s slowing of the pace, they began to pick it up as they became self inspired by the leadership on the field. Ellen Colbourne’s speed and skill were never defensively solved by the Raiders while Amanda Magadan dodged and  weaved through the defense. Lisa Van der Geest delivered the ball with a skill not often seen in first year players. Meg Lillis  and Aliza Furneaux showed strength in moving the ball through the defense.

It took 28 minutes before the Leopard’s were to find their Mojo when first year player Sam Di Maio scored the first goal in a redirection of an Ellen Coulbourne assist. One minute and a half later Cody Hunsicker delivered a rocket to the cage on a corner assisted by Ellen Colbourne and Amanda Magadan.  At that point in the game one got the impression this game was under control. The first half saw 13 Leopard shots to Colgate’s 3 with most of the action on Colgate’s half of the field. The addition of 8 corners which included Hunsicker’s goal was  more evidence of Leopard domination.

The action picked up in the second half, and although the Leopards were not to earn any corners in the half, their pace and efficiency were about to seal the deal. Ami Turner at 43:41 found herself in perfect position in front of the goal to receive a pass from Liza Welch and scored the third goal. The  piece de resistance was left to captain Amanda Magadan who received a beautiful pass from Ami Turner in full sprint at midfield. Amanda then found herself one on one with the Colgate goalie and deftly placed a shot in cage at 63:50, finishing the scoring for the day.

Four goals with four different players was only part of explaining this team effort. Kristen Taylor made several good efforts as did Rachel Bird. Rosie Shanks was in the mix on several occasions. The game ended with several attempts by Colgate close to the goal but, the team came together to preserve the second shutout of the season for senior goalkeeper  and captain Kate Arnold.

With an unblemished Patriot League record the Leopards will travel next week to Holy Cross to avenge last years 4-3 loss. They now sit tied with American University and ready for the next road challenge in Worcester, Mass.

Rather than than a written article I thought I might just publish several pictures from last friday. The pictures were taken and posted by go leopards and they show a team that rose to the occasion and is capable of a great athletic effort. A similar effort on Saturday in Hamilton would be a great reward after the long trek by fans to Hamilton New York. It looks like there will be no live stream of the game, but there will be live stats!!  Go Pards!!

On friday, Lafayette will board a bus to make the trek to upstate New York, and their homecoming meeting with the Colgate Raiders. The Leopards arrive with a 6-3 record in tow, and still glowing in the victory that left them 1-0 in the Patriot League, having beaten the  league preseason favorite and number 9 ranked team in the nation. Colgate is 1-10 and 0-2  on the season. So why am I writing “BEWARE THE COLGATE RAIDERS.”

In recent years Colgate has managed to be a tough opponent despite their record, especially in Hamilton, New York. Not only will the Leopards be greeted by a cold, cloudy fall day, but it will be homecoming for a team that is 0-2 in the league with a loss that would put them within one loss of being eliminated from post-season play. On the other hand a win by Lafayette would make them 2-0 in league play and one step closer, to not only post season play, but hosting the two day tournament.

The last visit to Hamilton ended in disappointment as Colgate won 1-0 eliminating Lafayette from the tournament. This was done despite a 14-9 advantage in shots and 12-7 advantage in corners. Colgate was helped with 8 saves. But close games are not rare between these two teams. In 2012 the regular season game was won by Lafayette 6-1 but only after a 1-0 lead by Colgate in the first half. The Leopards outshot Colgate 33-5 but the Colgate goalie came up with 15 saves. Colgate did make it to the  semi final of the Patriot League tournament and gave Lafayette fits as the Leopards needed overtime to score a 4-3 win after a goal by Haley Keenan. The Leopards led in shots 28-7, corners 19-2,  with the Colgate goalie getting 14 saves. Lafayette went on to win the tournament making later appearances against eventual national champion Princeton and defending champion Maryland.

In 2013 the Leopards fell behind 2-0 in the first half before coming from behind to win 4-3. Last year at home the Leopards locked up a Patriot League Tournament bid with  1-0 win against the 0-15 Raiders. It was Ellen Coulbourne’s first half goal that was to provide the difference.

This year, the Raiders despite their record, have come up with good efforts. Against Boston they held the Terriers to a 0-0 tie in the first half. In the second half, Boston found solutions to Colgate’s defense and won going away 9-0. Last saturday Holy Cross needed overtime to win 2-1 at Colgate. The next day Colgate saw Rider launch 41 shots to their 3, and give up 13 corners to their 1. Remarkably the Raider goalkeeper made 27 saves.

I have written about desperate teams and Colgate certainly has their back to the wall. But they will be at home, during homecoming. The Leopards should not take them lightly. I had counted this game as a  must win before the season. I have not changed my mind.

Delaware managed to get off eight first half shots and finding the goal on four of the them to down the Leopards five to one. Meeting their second top 15 opponent in three days, the Leopards came out sluggish, not demonstrating the same quickness that helped them to defeat the number nine team two days before. Delaware also had four corners to the Leopards none in that first period. The four goal lead came despite Coach Stone’s attempt to get fresh legs into the contest, substituting at a rate nearly twice that of Delaware during the game.

The Leopards, however were to make some half time adjustments, and the stats did even themselves out with the Leopards getting more shots (6-4) and more corners ( 6-1) in the second period. The redoubled effort enabled Lafayette to get on the board with a Lisa Van der Geest strike at 55:11 into the contest. It was a hard shot to the left side of the goal. Kaitlyn Ewing was at the post ready to deflect it, but the ball passed the goal mouth unmolested. Delaware was to score one more time to finish the scoring, giving the Blue Hens the final 5-1 victory.

After the game Head Coach Stone opined that Delaware may have been the strongest opponent of the year to date. It would be hard to dispute that statement, as Delaware showed skill and speed during the afternoon. In any case, Coach Stone felt there was something to be learned and applied in the coming games.

Lafayette returns to Patriot League play next Saturday at 11:00 am for a homecoming game in Hamilton, New York against Colgate University. Last week the Raiders held Boston University to a 0-0 tie in the first half before succumbing 9-0. This week they lost an overtime game to Holy Cross. Traveling to Hamilton and playing Colgate has had its challenges for Lafayette. Two years ago the Leopards lost a 1-0 game there, despite dominating on shots and corners. Colgate managed a late shot getting the upset win. Last  year’s game was equally close with Lafayette getting the win.

Lafayette does have the deeper bench but will be playing at homecoming with Colgate, who will be desperate  not to end up 0-3 in the Patriot League at the end of the day. Lafayette will want to keep marching forward on  their trek, to not only have a 2-0 record in league play, but advance their chances for a playoff slot and perhaps host the championship at home. They will travel the day before and hopefully arrive with fresh legs and energy in upstate New York!!