Is It Time ” To Fear The Leopards?”

I hate to be so optimistic even before the season starts, but this may have been one of best Lafayette teams at this point that I have observed. It is a team that is determined to work together. Their passes are going where their teammate is going to be rather than the receiver having to wait for the ball. The transition game is well in place, and best of all they are not going to be intimidated.

As the game progressed things started to get a little chippy and the official warned players that continued play like that would lead to players removed from the game. Penn State’s offense begins with a hard one on one defense to start play. The Leopards did not back away and I had the feeling the 1-5 loss last year to the Nittany Lions was imprinted on their minds.

Oh, there were mistakes, but this team is going to get even better and they are scary deep! There is deep enthusiasm in their play. After the game it was obvious they had their confidence raised. Did I mention the score….1-1 and it was no fluke.

Penn State opened the scoring in the second period on a hard shot on a difficult angle. Lafayette scoring happened in the third period with intense action in front of the goal with Laila Pasic delivering the goal on an assist by Josephine van Wijk. There was strong defensive action also and one point Lena Thedrian had a defensive save.

Raffi Fragomeni started the game and Addison Kahn came in the during the second half at goal. In a practice session of shootouts both GK faired well making several key stops and Leopards prevailed with a two goal advantage at the end

I was impressed, as well with the newcomers who looked like veteran players. I am excited. Next up will be Monmouth on Tuesday at home at 1 pm. I am hoping to see further progress…Monmouth is a very solid team!!

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.

Patriot League Champs Begin 2025 Campaign

As we all know the start of the season begins in the spring as the seniors get ready for graduation and our Juniors begin to fill roles vacated by their older teammates. Yes, it is a period of adjustment as new roles are defined. However, the Leopards are blessed with a plethora of returning players albeit some will find new places on the field.

Field Hockey is a game of finding space, especially space that leads to an open teammate and a path to the goal on the offensive side of the field. No surprise then Thursday’s first live inter collegiate contest of the spring saw both offensives struggle. The end of the match was nil-nil but it was an exercise for coaches to see what needs to be improved.

No doubt the fine defense from last year is virtually intact with key performers like Lena Thedrian and Raffi Fradomeni are back for an encore, but of interest to fans will be how Josephine van Wijk steps into a leadership role. Her skill and presence was noticed in the contest thursday which left no doubt, as the prep for the fall continues, she will be ready. In addition there will be experienced players like Carolina Rubel, Mackenzie Switzer, Stella Malinowski, and Katie Gibb who will be familiar to Lafayette opponents.

As the game progressed it was obvious that many were stillT finding their spot and their teammates spot on the field. They will be at Temple at 1 pm on Saturday. What will be fun is to see the progress the team as whole makes during this practice week.

GO PARDS!!

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!!!

Lafayette Leopards Win Overtime Thriller in DC

Lafayette Soccer Makes The Trip to DC

It was an intense afternoon of hockey in which the umpires seemed to have difficulty keeping the play under control. In the end, the Leopard prevailed with a penultimate score in overtime by Lea Good assisted by Makenzie Switzer. The events leading up the win were every bit as dramatic.

From the get go it became obvious to the crowd of 623 that this would be a struggle of frantic defenses. Play was dominated by mid-field action with American at times trying to press, especially covering Lafayette’s co-captain and inspirational leader Leneke Spanns by triple teaming her all game long. One got the feeling it would be the success or failure of that effort which would lead to a championship for either team.

No one would have predicted the events of the fourth quarter. The 2nd and 3rd quarters would see the Leopards gathering six penalty strokes to the Eagle’s 2. With less than 10 minutes left in regulation time Eagle Agostina Ruffo was open and flicked a shot high into the goal scoring the first goal of the contest. Ruffo had scored two other game winning goals against the Leopards in the two previous games.

Anxiety reigned for the next 4 minutes until Leneke Spanns broke through her triple coverage and headed to the goal. As she penetrated the shooting circle a sloppy attempt at a tackle though Spann’s legs caused her tumble with a serious injury. Fans held their breath as she struggled to get up, eventually leaving the field only to briefly reenter the pitch with a courageous effort to return to the fray.

Intense moments ticked away as officials conferred only to eventually call a penalty stroke on the Eagles. Stella Malinoski stepped to the line and beat the Eagle GK Bryn Underwood on the lower left corner to tie the score with 5 1/2 minutes to go.

Those last five minutes played like the 55 minutes preceding, ending in a tie, and the teams now faced overtime. Executing a press would be more difficult with only six players on the field, but without Spanns’ presence on the field the Leopard’s faithful held their breath. As champions they would become, the Leopards gathered themselves together to await their opportunity. That came at 3:47 into the period during a corner. as Makenzie Switzer found Lea Good on the left side of the goal and would deliver the winning shot, a redirect, past Underwood for the win.

In the minutes that would follow I would reflect on the tempo and intensity of the last 64 minutes. The officials seemed to let the players play on through close action. The events leading to the stroke in retrospect seems to me to have been inevitable. The absence of video replay ( American is the only one of two teams in the PL who don’t have it) contributed to the close aggressive play that led to the game changing stroke.

Raffi Fragomeni had a career day in goal having 7 saves. Lena Thedrian was all over field playing what may have been a career day for her. All that is not to diminish this team effort.

It is time for the League to mandate video referral as the rest of the world has already done, never again should a championship game be without it. Do it NOW Patriot League.

The Leopards now await the outcome of the 10 pm Sunday announcement of their NCAA tournament pairing. Their RPI now puts them ranked 22nd nationally. NO matter what. these Champions can now hold that title forever. WELL DONE

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.

Championship Run Begins Thursday

American, Lafayette, Bucknell, and Boston vie for Championship on Thursday and Saturday

The four teams left standing will again meet in DC for a repeat of last years Patriot League Championship with a minor reshuffling of the deck. American will meet Boston at 11 am Thursday and Lafayette will meet Bucknell at 2 pm. American ended the regular season with an undefeated record, Lafayette came up second with the overtime loss to American as their only blemish, Buckell had two losses ( American and Lafayette), Boston dropped games to Lafayette, American and Bucknell.

Josephine avoids defenders

But it is the internal statistics that are most interesting. Lafayette has not be scored upon in any League game since their 1-0 overtime loss to American at the beginning of the League schedule. Lafayette and Bucknell lead in goals scored in League games with 17 each while American trails with 16 and Boston has 10.

Leneke Spaans explodes downfield

The five straight shutouts by Lafayette compare with Boston’s 12 goals against, Bucknell’s 8 goals against and American’s 3 goals against. Lafayette’s offense is highlight by its League leading 103 shots, to American’s 92, Bucknell’s 82 and Boston’s 70. Lafayette had 42 corners during the League games, Buckell had 40. American had 36 and Boston had 36.

DPC defense is a wall

Lafayette was strong in goal with a 95% save percentage, American followed with 86 %,Boston with 75% and Bucknell with 68 %.

So in summary. statistically the Leopards look pretty good. But the only statistic in end is the final score and the Leopards ( as well as the rest of League ) have a hard time getting past American and they are at home. There is not video replay at American’s home field which to my mind is an issue the League should address, any other field but American’s would have had video referral.

Mackenzie Hall holds off a Bucknell defender

Three of the coaches have ten plus years in the job while Bucknell’s coach has been there only several years but has proven to be a dangerous opponent, especially in important games.

There is always a surprise in these games as American lost to Lehigh several years ago during the pandemic games. Lafayette has a diversified group of talent which could be a problem for any opponent. Lafayette’s Thursday opponent, Bucknell has the very talented Lily Neilson which will challenge Lafayette’s defense. In any case, Lafayette must limit opponent penalty corners and circle penetrations. They must also finish with more regularity.

The prize is the trophy and the privilege of keep playing in the National Championship tournament!!

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!