Tag: Women’s Athletics

It’s A Character 1-0 Win For Leopards As Fragomeni And Spaans Shine

Raffi Fragomeni has an excellent weekend with a 89 pct save percentage

In an intense game that was competitive right to the end, the Leopards emerged with a quality win. Leneke Spaans put the Leopards in the lead with her second game winning goal of the weekend. The one to zero lead was preserved right to the final buzzer as Fragomeni and the defense needed to turn away three straight corners in the last one minute of fifteen seconds. In addition, there were multiple video reviews which added to the tension. The last occurred with 3 seconds left after which the fans on the sideline breathed a sigh of relief with a 1-0 win against a quality opponent.

Spaans circles towards the goal

But be not misled, this was a team victory earned on the pitch today. It would be hard to name outstanding individual players as everyone put their heart and soul into earning the win. There was play after play when it looked like Delaware tried to turn it around and someone came up with a big play to reestablish momentum

Laine Delmotte and Josephine Van Wijk team up to stop Delaware advance

Although there is no official stat for time in the attacking end the Leopards would have had that stat hands down. It was not because Delaware was not a fine hard working team, but Lafayette’s speed and skill seem to overcome their opponents at crucial times. If there were mistakes, there was back up to turn it around. The Lafayette defense seems to be everywhere.

Lea Good and Mackenzie Hall trap Delaware along the sideline

American lost their second game of the year as Boston University lost to Boston College, Lehigh won over Wagner, Colgate lost to Ohio State and Holy Cross beat LIU in a shoot out. So Holy Cross and Lafayette are the only Patriot League teams emerging from the weekend undefeated.

Lena Thedrian was a force all game long!!

The Leopards will travel to New England risking their undefeated record against Dartmouth on Friday afternoon and New Hampshire on Sunday,

Lafayette Field Hockey Prepares for Challenging Opening Week

Spanns powers past her opponent

Columbia had a record of 3-13 last year, but looks to improve in 2024. However, along the way last season, they had several good games. They beat a very good Monmouth team 2-1, Lafayette 3-2, only lost to Princeton 1-2, and New Hampshire 0-1 in two overtimes. However, today, in Easton, the Leopards owned the Lions. I really don’t like to transmit scores in pre-season games, but I will say this, it was the Leopard team I hope we will see mid-season.

Inda Ralph lines up a shot on an APC

I saw speed, stick skills, strength and strong corner execution and defense. Stella Malinowski had the kind of day that earned her Rookie of Year in the Patriot League, Even some of the first year players got into it with Olivia Krey getting her first collegiate goal on a feed from Leneke Spanns in the second half. Junior Gk Raffi Fragomeni looked ready for prime time!!

Launching an attack penalty corner

APC’S were as sharp as they were numerous and DPC’s were solid. Much of the game was in the Leopard offensive end and the Leopards were able to turn the attack into fast break opportunities. Lafayette will give opponents at lot to think about. Yes, there is the ever present threat with Lineke Spanns. but once they try to concentrate on her there will be another Leopard waiting to sprint up the field, deflecting the ball into the goal on a feed, or dodging single coverage, freeing the ball to set up an attack.

There is a challenging week ahead with the regular season starting on Friday against Vermont. After that on Sunday the always dangerous University of Delaware Blue Hens arrive to test our Leopards. Vermont was 8-10 last year with a 3-2 win in OT over Lafayette. Delaware has been a regular preseason opponent for years, but this year the Blue Hens will travel to meet the Leopards at home. Delaware has the edge in wins 19-11-2 although they have been 6-8 at Lafayette. The last regular season game was in 2017. Last year they were 8-9 with wins against ODU, American, and Penn. Lafayette will be their first regular season game.

We are ready…. GO PARDS

First Contact…A Work In Progress

After a week of hard work the 2024 Field Hockey Leopards had their first taste of intercollegiate competition. It was “first contact” for both the Leopards and the Stags of Fairfield University. Fairfield won their league title last year and Lafayette went right to the Championship game. This will be Fairfield’s coach, Jackie Kane’s last season. Her tenure goes all the way back to when Fairfield was in the Patriot League. So this may be a year of special incentives for her.

The Stags pretty much stayed in a zone defense most of the game as Lafayette tried to crack it without much success. This was Lafayette’s freshman GK’s debut and she held her own. Addison Kahn was very solid between the pipes most of the game, but did give up a goal on a DPC in the first 90 seconds of the match. Lafayette couldn’t find the back of the net until the last 90 seconds to tie it up. The seven on seven segment was well played with the Leopards executing a nice goal that in the regular season would ended the game.

Last year during the regular season the Leopards won in a close 3-2 match. Many newcomers saw some action during the match. My general impression is the team was not at its end of year best and it is how I remembered them. As the days go by these well skilled players will get used to the speed of the game and where their teammates are on the field.

The next test is at home with Columbia on Sunday at 12 pm. Lafayette lost to these same Lions last year and it could be a strong benchmark before the opener with Vermont later next week. It’ll be interesting to see the progress!!

THEY’RE BACK

It’s Saturday morning in early August and the Lafayette Leopards are back at work on Rappolt Field preparing for the 2024 Division one field hockey season. The legs are still fresh, the weather was perfect, and as the morning progressed it became obvious their machine like integration from last year renewed itself. This team saw itself go all the way to the championship game last year, and it was apparent this fast paced practice and intensity was showing the elements were still there to demonstrate play-off hockey.

The Maroon and White are returning 5 all league selections including all American Leneke Spanns. As the coaches put the team through its paces there was no doubt that the determination and skill were there…..and maybe more. Asst. Coaches Jop Beuger and Meghan Reese make sure no one was standing still, as continuous drills emphasized ball and body movement, while executing accurate passing and deflections at the goal.

New first year players absorbed information from their new teammates as well as from the coaches. Sweat was certainly visible, despite the relatively balmy weather as the drills delivered fitness as well as skill improvement.

Coach Stone was pleased with her veterans, but being the excellent coach she has demonstrated in the last 12 years, she looks forward to the development of others who will see more playing time and the first year’s players, as they become accustomed to the speed and skill of the college division one game. Stone has challenged her team with an interesting schedule which includes Syracuse, Penn State and Delaware. However, before the season begins there will be exhibition tune ups on August 20th and 25th at Fairfield and Columbia at home respectively. Both games will begin at 1 pm. The first regular season game will be with Vermont at home at 6pm under the lights!!

It’s not like the summer and spring have been idle for the Leopards. Much of the team has been practicing and playing internationally. Three Leopards participated in the Junior Pan Am games, Stella Malinowski, Laine Delmotte, and Katie Gibb. Raffi Fragomeni looked ready to defend the cage as she saw significant action last year!!

The Patriot League will be challenging with American defending their championship arriving at Rappolt Field on Sep 27 in the eighth game of the season. The first League game will be on the 20th of Sept in Worcester with Holy Cross at 4 pm. The away games with the Crusaders as well as the away games with Bucknell and Colgate always seem to be tough affairs.

There always will be THE GAME with Lehigh as they will try to avenge their one goal loss last year. This year the RIVALRY will be on home turf on Friday evening Oct 11 at 6 pm. Boston arrives on homecoming Oct 25 to avenge their loss to the Leopards in the semi final last. year. The last regular season game will be up north at Colgate on November 2nd.

Challenges abound but it looks like an exciting season for Leopard field hockey. I would not be surprised to see our heroines in the mix a for championship when its all over. The talent is there, the bodies are willing and the fans are hungry. GO PARDS!!

Lafayette Plays In Four Team Spring Event

Josephine van Wijk breaks free against Syracuse

In a tough environment of cold windy weather, against good competition Lafayette held their own. Fans should also be lauded for coming to the event battling weather, traffic and construction. Parking was sparse and directions were useless, but came they did!!

First up for Lafayette was Syracuse who pushed the Leopards by accelerating their game tempo. Defensive improvement has been a theme this spring and the defense held up well allowing a single goal off a scrum in front of the cage started with a rebound. The Leopard’s had several offensive opportunities but couldn’t finish given decent shots. In this game scores can occur off of set pieces or capitalizing on mistakes from you opponent. The aggressive style of the Orange lent itself to several counterattacking opportunities that fell short.

The second game was with Monmouth whom the Leopards were meeting for the second time in a week. Monmouth was not as effective on the attacking side but manage a goal in the last second of the 30 minute game during a corner.

The third game was with Penn and it was then the Leopards were to find a goal off of a steal at midfield. Lafayette seemed more comfortable despite blowing winds. It was at this point we decided to take off for center city to take my grandson to his mother who was giving a speech in Philadelphia.

DPC Engages!!

Next week will have the Leopards tangling with the Owls of Temple at their field for the last contest of the spring, Weather during the week looks to be temperate, so I see a strong opportunity for the Leopards to do well. They lost to these same Owls in the last game of the regular season last year 1-0. Push off is at 5:30 at Temple on Friday!!!

Lafayette And Lehigh Combine For Continuation Of Spring Preparation

Lafayette and Lehigh met this evening in a practice game, as the spring preparations continue. The game was played under game conditions with the exception that Lafayette borrowed a Lehigh goalkeeper to substitute for Raffi Fragomeni who is still nursing a minor injury. There was very little for her to do, as the Lafayette offense had significant minutes on the Lehigh side of the field.

There was no official accounting, but Lafayette clearly had more shots and corners. If one were to count goals, Lafayette scored two, and one goal was called back. The first goal was a stroke in the third quarter, breaking a scoreless tie.

Both teams battled the elements as a brisk cold wind kept both fans and players alert. Neither team was in mid season form, but I thought Lafayette clearly benefited from last week’s game with St. Joe’s. Lehigh has been improving lately and they had their moments of skill and speed, but clearly the Leopards seemed more comfortable with one another.

For a spring game, there was a decent crowd from both sides. The field’s original scoreboard is still inoperable, but I understand a new scoreboard has recently been approved.

Other news from around the league has Bucknell raising money for video referral, leaving only two Patriot League teams without it…American and Holy Cross. American will be at Lafayette this fall, and the Leopards will travel to Holy Cross, which means the Leopards will play only one Patriot League game without video referral this fall!!!

Leopards Open Spring Games Against St.Joes

It seems every spring our games with St. Josephs are played in blustery cold weather. Today was no exception, but thankfully the sun was out shining down on our first effort of the 2024 year. The Leopards bring back a plethora of talent who should know each other’s place on the field but even that advantage needs to be worked on. But that’s why we have spring games.

Each side came with about 18 players, but the game was played with no goal tenders, as minor injuries kept each team without a backstop. Surprisingly, for three quarters it was a low scoring affair with few corners and shots on goal. Both teams managed to score one goal in those first 45 minutes. The Hawks managed to get several corners and were to take advantage in the last 10 minutes of the game.

These spring games ( or controlled) scrimmages are more for reestablishing skills left dormant over the last six months. St. Joe’s was able to effectively use their press and one on one skills to push the action into their scoring end. The Leopards were able to establish a press of their own and I was impressed in the first 45 minutes with corner defense and counter attack.

I was pleased to see many Lafayette players who experienced late season injuries on the field. I was unrealistically thinking to see much of the skill and aggression displayed during the last part of last season, but as I should have know that comes back as the spring progresses.

The Leopards will waste little time meeting their next opponent, Lehigh on Friday at 6 pm at home. I love to see the progress from game to game and a preseason Lehigh meeting will hit the spot.

Coach Jennifer Stone To Be At Lafayette Event In Bucks County On March 7

The Marquis de Lafayette visited the United States in 1824 as a guest of President James Monroe. While in Philadelphia, 200 Eastonians including James Madison Porter met him. He was so impressed he set off to work to establish a College in Lafayette’s name. A group of prominent citizens led by Porter met at White’s Hotel to begin the process.

On March 9,1826 the governor of Pennsylvania signed the charter officially establishing Lafayette College. Each year on or around March 9, alumni get together at parties all over the world to celebrate their alma mater and toast the Marquis.

This year there will be an event on March 7 at the Bucks Club, 2600 York Road , Jamison, Pa. 18929. It will be a cash bar with small food. The highlight will be the attendance of Head Field Hockey Coach Jennifer Stone. The Field Hockey team could rightly be called the most successful team at Lafayette. They are regular participants in the annual Patriot League tournament and as champions represented the Patriot League in the national NCAA tournament.

This year, the team had a league leading, 5 all Patriot League awardees including an All American selection, Leneke Spanns. National teams are no stranger to Lafayette athletes as the captain of the US Olympic team will have alumna Amanda (Magadan) Golini leading the squad in this year’s Paris Olympics. Alumna Audrey Sawers is a member of the Canadian National Team. There are currently 3 players on the squad who were selected to the under 21 Canadian national team.

There is no doubt next year’s team will be in the hunt for a championship!!

The event is from 5:30 to 7:30. The host is Bill Messick class of ’68 Messy12@aol.com. You can also contact Alumni Engagement at 610-330-5040 or alumni @lafayette.com to make a reservation!! See you there.

USFH IS GOING TO PARIS!!!!!

There are games that can just be a win, because of luck or just superior talent. Then there are games that demonstrate character…..today’s game with Japan in India was one of those games. The skill was there, but character drove them to the finish.The nervousness rose in this house this morning as the US was scored upon for the first time in this Olympic Qualifying tournament in the second half. Could they score and a least go to overtime!!!??

Not only did they score, but they scored twice in the closing fourth quarter minutes to secure that elusive ticket to the Paris Olympics. Japan pulled their goalkeeper to try even the game in the closing minutes, but the US was able to win a corner running clock in the process.

Team captain and Lafayette Alum Amanda Golini will be the first Lafayette alum to become an Olympian in one hundred years. The emotions were overwhelming. driving the team, its fans. and coaches to tears. David Passmore the head coach, was seen a little teary eyed at the end as well.

The team had been through the difficulties of coaching changes, and moving to Charlotte. In the end, not only did they persevere but thrived.

They will move on to play in the finals, their Paris ticket in hand. They are remaining in SE Asia for several weeks for pro league games, as they polish their skills before coming home.

Congratulations To Amanda And The Team As They Prepare For The Olympics!! Go USA

USWNT In Semi-Final For Olympic Qualifiers

Amanda Golini ’17 shows how defense is played by the underscored upon US Team

The US Women’s National Team launched themselves into the qualifying semifinals on the back of a 1-0 win over New Zealand today. The US is now undefeated and unscored upon after wins over India, Italy and New Zealand. They will now meet Japan on Thursday ( CBS Sports) in the semis. A win will place them in the finals and a sure trip to the Paris Olympic Games. A loss will move them to a play-in game in which a win will also buy them a ticket to Paris.

As to their latest tournament win, victory came on the back of a strong defense. A goal by Beth Yeager in the second quarter off a penalty corner, was to stand up after a strong defensive performance for the win. The US had 4 shots to 2 for New Zealand and the US had 11 penalty corners to 7. There was a streak in the 3rd corner when New Zealand had several corners in a row.

Lafayette parent/fan, Silvia Magadan beams with pride for her daughter’s accomplishments

The US had to work through 2 yellow cards in the second half which included a 3rd period in which New Zealand pulled their goalkeeper in an effort to put a score on the board.

This is a team that is coming together to the astonishment of the world hockey community. They entered the tournament ranked 15th. They will certainly leave the tournament much better than that. In the meantime they will need to tidy up their corners and finish more of their offensive opportunities.

Amanda Golini ( Amanda Magadan ’17) is displaying her leadership skills as captain. She is active on the field and had several key plays from her midfield position and on defensive penalty corners.

GO USA