WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Lafayette field hockey team knocked third-seeded Boston U. out of the Patriot League Tournament semifinal round in overtime, 3-2, on Thursday afternoon to advance to the championship match scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. vs. No. 1 seed and host American.
Freshman
Lena Thedrian's goal four minutes into overtime pushed the Leopards past the Terriers at the William I Jacob Recreational Complex. Lafayette will now play host American on Saturday at 1 p.m. with the Patriot League title on the line.
Boston's Thalia Steenssens put up an early goal at 3:11, getting multiple sticks on the ball in the circle to lead 1-0 in the first quarter. The Leopards fought through the second period in an attempt to close the gap, sending five shots on cage with an added two penalty corner opportunities.
Following the halftime break, Lafayette raced down the field, earning the fourth corner of the afternoon. Junior defender
India Ralph inserted to
Makenzie Switzer, who sent a long sweep towards the net. Spaans stood at the ready, tipping the ball past the Terrier goalkeeper at 31:07 in the third quarter for a 1-1 tie.
Boston retaliated with its second goal, a gritty last-second tip in the circle from by Bella Cloutier at 40:45 to steal back the lead.
Energy was high in the fourth quarter as the Maroon and White were relentless in their efforts to get the ball up-field. Senior goalkeeper
Emma Garvey was pulled at the four-minute mark in order to add an extra field player on the turf for the Leopards.
The Terriers stopped two final Leopard penalty corners prior to Spaans sending yet another long pass through the circle at 59:10. The ball was tipped in by freshman
Lea Good to send the game to extra minutes.
In overtime, the Leopards opened with a handful of corners. Boston also took the ball down the field a minute later to get one shot on cage, which was quickly smothered by Garvey.
With a final penalty corner, Thedrian smashed the backboard with the game-winning tipped ball, assisted by
Josephine van Wijk, at 64:09.
Lafayette held the advantage in total shots (20-4) and penalty corners (10-1).
In goal, Garvey made one save, while the Terriers' Kate Thomason, made nine.
The Leopards (12-6) will return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. vs. No. 1 seed American (10-7).
