The Leopards close out their season this Saturday in one final Patriot League game against Loyola. Although the team didn’t qualify for the tournament they are still prepared for an intense battle this weekend. This last game gives Lafayette the opportunity to go 3-6 in the conference or fall to 2-7.
End of season games are hard for any team that has no post-season, not just physically but mentally as well. It will take more concentration from the Leopards since they have no spot to play for, but ending the season on a good note would be positive for the team and beneficial for returning players.
“Loyola is a team we have the ability to beat if we all show up to play and it being the last game I think the team will give it all they have one last time playing together,” senior co-captain Jaclyn Giordano said.
It’s disappointing to any team that puts in the long hours and emotions that go into working towards making the post season and ends up coming up short. Lafayette worked hard in all their league games, beating Holy Cross in an overtime thriller and a strong American team 2-1 in regular time. The Leopards had the ability to make it to the Patriot League Tournament but losing games to Lehigh and Bucknell by one goal each blockaded their path to the playoffs.
“We started the year having a goal to make it to the playoffs so it’s hard on all the girls not fulfilling that goal but I think the team can be satisfied with knowing we gave it everything we had and went into every game playing our best,” Giordano said.
In Tuesday’s 4-0 loss against Columbia, Giordano and sophomore Kaelin King, two major attacking players, were out with injuries. With no Lafayette goals all game, the attacking duo’s presence was much missed. The team is staying positive, with Saturday’s game being their senior night everyone is in good spirits. The game will be tough, a Loyola victory will send them to the tournament, a slap in the face for sure for the Leopards. The team looks to Saturday as a time to finish off the season with three Patriot League wins. Last year the Leopards only had one league win, ending with a victory will mean progress for the program within the league. More importantly, a win will solidify a season of hard work among a talented group of players.
