KEAN FIELD HOCKEY HEAD COACH, LESLIE LAFRONZ GETS 200 WIN IN NJAC PLAYOFFS

By Hector Morales | Published by December 5, 2021

Kean University Field Hockey Head Coach Leslie LaFronz earned her 200 career win as field hockey head coach for her 12 years at Kean and her 4 years at Ramapo College after the Cougars defeated The College of New Jersey Lions 2-1 in the semi-finals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament on Wednesday, November 3. This is a memorable milestone for LaFronz.

Leslie LaFronz 200th Career Win Photo credit: Kean Athletics

            “It’s exciting, it’s a lot of years, a lot of hard work, and a lot of players doing what we ask to, and it’s the culmination of a long career,” said LaFronz.

            On November 3, LaFronz led the Cougars in the semi-finals finishing the regular season 18-1. The Cougars faced the 11-4 Lions on a cold and freezing night and 104 spectators were in attendance. The Lions were a team the Cougars have struggled with in the past. The game was scoreless in the first half and there was tremendous defense from both sides.

            In the second half of the game, the team sparked momentum as Pennsylvania native Megan Keeney scored the first goal for the Cougars. Later on in the fourth quarter with 5 minutes left in the game, Kayla Cichlar of TCNJ scored the game-tying goal, sending the game to overtime.

            Kean Goalkeeper Jenna Flemings kept the Cougars alive throughout the whole game as she recorded 9 saves, only giving up one goal against the Lions. Her defensive effort allowed the game to go to a second overtime.

            “TCNJ is not an easy team,” said Flemings. “We knew that we were a strong, mentally, physically, and more ready team. We knew what was on the table, we knew what was up for grabs and we weren’t going to stop until we knew it was ours.”

             Forty seven seconds into the second overtime, Delaware native Ja’Carra Jackson scored the game winning goal and sent the Cougars to Glassboro in the NJAC Finals against Rowan University.

“I think she did a tremendous job out there,” said Flemings on Jackson’s game winning goal. “She put a lot of fight into those balls, and I think for her to come on top with that tip in it was a huge play for her.”

Jackson was proud that she got the game winning goal and she was impressed about Flemings’ defense that kept the team alive that night.

“She was amazing,” said Jackson on Flemings’ performance. “Great communication, keeping our heads, holding us accountable we needed and she did really well.”

  • Jenna Flemings Photo credit: Larry Levanti
  • Ja’Carra Jackson Photo credit: Larry Levanti

            “It was really nice that they came together as a team and they played really hard and they wanted it,” said LaFronz on the team’s performance. “We have so much skill, so much talent, and it was really exciting to see us get the win tonight.”

            The Cougars send their fans home happy and Lafronz and her team will prepare themselves to face a team they haven’t beaten in the regular season in Glassboro.

            “We know what’s at stake, so I think it’s important for us to keep physically and mentally prepared for what’s coming,” said Flemings. “We have seen this team before and we know what they’re made of, but we know that we can only do our best and keep adjusting anything that is thrown our way and look to be on top.”

Comments - review our comment policy