Lafalum
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Soccer and FH face Penn State tonightVery interesting games tonight. A FH win would be a bigger upset than the soccer team beating Penn State but in terms of a shot in the arm for both programs a win for either team would be enormous.
The Penn State soccer team comes off a win at Ohio State and our guys a tie at American. A win would certainly give us huge momnetum
Penn State FH is ranked 9th a win would be a huge upset but not unheard of as we beat them 3 or 4 years ago when they were ranked 4 th.
FH at home at 6 Soccer at Penn State at 7.
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TheRock90
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The local cable companies now carry the Big 10 network. They had the Penn State hockey game on over the weekend. I watched a few minutes of it, they are very fast. We will need our best game to just be competitive.
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Lafalum
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FH 0-1 soccer 1-1 ag pennStateBoth games turned out to be very interesting. BJ Glenn our highly touted frosh got 4 shots off and connected on one. The game went to two over times for the tie. 1-1
The FH team did not dissappoint and especially in the second half went toe to toe with the nbr 9 team in the country. Our defense was gritty and our offense came to life in the second half. It still would have been an upset but with a break we could have won. This really sets us up for American on saturday. A win at our place on Saturday and the PL championship is doable and home field for the tourney!!An 0-1 loss in a nice effort for the Pards!! With one senior playing this is a rapidly improving leopard squad!!!
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Xboreturns
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Lafalum you know a lot more about Field Hockey than I do but apparently we were not watching the same game tonight. Even though they didn't score until around the 4:30 mark, PSU dominated the first half. We were lucky it wasn't 3 or 4 to nothing at the half. I don't believe we had a legtimate shot until the penalty corner after time expired.
The second half was pretty even although I don't think either team had many scoring chances until the final 6 minutes when we got something going. Our best chance was the ball that hoped over #2's stick in front of the goal. That was certainly a chance to tie the game but I don't think we were ever in a position to win. I will say that if PSU is the # 9 team in the country, there isn't much of a gap between the PL teams and rest of the country.
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Lafalum
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I wouldnt disagree. However the first half did show pretty good defense in the face of Penn State;s attack. Our frosh goalie was pretty good in her second start of the season. The second half was pretty good if you look at the stats. Shots and Shots on goal were even as were penalty cornors. I thought we had more chances to score than the one you mentioned. We still need the skilled fast forward, but we have freshman and sophs there now. If we make that shot to tie we have a chance to win ( that's the fan in me) If you look at substitutions Penn State kept their first team in the whole game. I believe there were only 2 subs the whole game for the Lions.
We are much improved and American is beatable as they lost to JMU rank 8th last night. We have a ways to go but this could be a very good team in the future. a tribute to their effort and their coach.
By the way Penn State lost to UNC 4-0 the nbr one tean. The Penn State parents said it was a clinic . When you get to the top 5 or 6 the talent really separates.
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The Maroon
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| Lafalum wrote: |
By the way Penn State lost to UNC 4-0 the nbr one tean. The Penn State parents said it was a clinic . When you get to the top 5 or 6 the talent really separates. |
The score was 6-0 and Penn State didn't get a shot off. UNC has three players on the national team. They are insane.
The progression of this team is exciting but I think you are premature in talking about league titles. While the better team doesn't always win in FH which to me is the most maddening thing about the game (I can still remember Lafayette losing the 94 title to Lehigh despite outshooting them 34-6) I don't think we're close to AU's level.
Remember too this is Ann Gold's team. This coach may take us higher--but I don't think you can make much of anything out of a first year coaches progress. Was Lembo an 11-1 coach when he had Higgins boys? Was Tavani a 2-9 coach when he inherited the program? Optimism is fine--but let's not forget to spread some credit around.
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Lafalum
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I'm really only looking at the progress from the beginning of the season. It may be a little early to talk about PL titles but a win over American would get us a long way there. I'm a glass half full guy so..(three fall sports in the hunt would be exciting...also we may need all the good news we can get before what may be a long leopard winter)
This is a new system with new demands. Yes some of the same players but he is demanding more. ( There is now 6 am lifting, more running) There is much more ball movement and this looks like a team that knows or is learning to play on the turf.
I'm excited for them, its been too long since I have seen us keep up with a quality team!! Last night's game was impressive in that especially in the secondhalf they proved to themselves they belonged on the field with a top ten team. American is not out of reach and we all know anything can happen in sports. That's why we all love it!! Go Pards!!!
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TheTruth
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Lots of good news in the FH camp. Hopefully they can keep it up.
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The Maroon
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| Lafalum wrote: | I'm really only looking at the progress from the beginning of the season. It may be a little early to talk about PL titles but a win over American would get us a long way there. I'm a glass half full guy so..(three fall sports in the hunt would be exciting...also we may need all the good news we can get before what may be a long leopard winter)
This is a new system with new demands. Yes some of the same players but he is demanding more. ( There is now 6 am lifting, more running) There is much more ball movement and this looks like a team that knows or is learning to play on the turf.
I'm excited for them, its been too long since I have seen us keep up with a quality team!! Last night's game was impressive in that especially in the secondhalf they proved to themselves they belonged on the field with a top ten team. American is not out of reach and we all know anything can happen in sports. That's why we all love it!! Go Pards!!! |
I knew plenty of Ann G's former players and none of them pegged her as a brilliant strategist or tactician. Their general opinion also was that she was a better lacrosse coach--but that's up for debate. She was a good recruiter and people enjoyed playing for her. To be honest I never figured out how she was as successful as she was---but the proof was in da pudding.
Griffiths seems to really have these guys moving in the right direction and seems to be the best choice to get this program back to its former glory--I just think Ann deserves at least the credit for leaving him with a little something to build with.
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Lafalum
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I think he has said as much!!
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