For LHU field hockey and Hall of Fame head coach Pat Rudy, the 2019 season will go down in the memory books as a special one. It ended in near dramatic fashion, as the Bald Eagles closed the season with an outstanding upset-minded effort, one that came up just short in an Atlantic 10 Conference semifinal match.
 
The quick notes:
LHU capped an all-around impressive 2019 season with an 11-8 overall record. The Bald Eagles went 11-7 during the regular season and finished at 6-2 in Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) play. During the regular season, Lock Haven recorded conference wins over Davidson, Richmond, La Salle, Virginia Commonwealth, Saint Louis and Saint Francis. By way of the 6-2 Atlantic 10 record, LHU advanced to the conference tournament. The Bald Eagles finished the regular season on a roll, concluding the season with a four-game win streak. All four wins came by way of shutout-victories, as Lock Haven outscored its opponents 11-0 in the final four games. In all, LHU won seven of its final eight games during the regular season, which included A-10 wins over La Salle, Virginia Commonwealth, Saint Louis and Saint Francis.
 
Breaking down the stats:

• Jazmin Palma led LHU with 16 points. Amy Stevens had 14 points, MacKenzie Farley added 11 and Kayla Brathwaite recorded 10. Tia Judy chipped in with eight points on the year.
• Palma had five goals and six assists. Her six assists were a team-high.
• Stevens led Lock Haven with six goals.
• Lock Haven scored 27 goals on the year. The 27 goals came from nine different players.
• Seven different players registered at least one game-winning goal on the season.
• The Bald Eagles pitched eight shutouts.
• Goalkeeper Joaquina Orlandini recorded all eight LHU shutouts and she registered 10 of LHU's 11 wins on the year.
• LHU was 11-8 overall.
• LHU went 6-4 at home.
• Legendary LHU head coach Pat Rudy how has 613 career wins.

 
A return to postseason play:
The Bald Eagles closed the 2019 season with an appearance in the 2019 Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament. LHU's bid for an upset fell just short as Lock Haven fell to top-seed Saint Joseph's, 2-1. LHU was playing as the No. 4 seed. The Atlantic 10 semifinal marked Lock Haven's first A-10 tournament appearance since 2014 and fourth overall since joining the A-10 in 2010 season. At the conclusion of the tournament, senior Kayla Brathwaite was named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
All-Conference:
Prior to the start of the 2019 Atlantic 10 Tournament, Kayla Brathwaite, Joaquina Orlandini and Jazmin Palma were all named to the 2019 Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) First Team. After scoring in the A-10 semifinal loss to top-seed Saint Joseph's, Brathwaite finished with four goals and 10 points (4G, 2A). Palma ranked among league leaders all season and capped her rookie season with five goals and six assists. Orlandini was without question, the premier goalkeeper in the A-10.
 
Rookie of the Year:
Jazmin Palma was named the 2019 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year. Her 16 points led the team and her 67 shots led the A-10.
 
All-Rookie Team:
Palma was joined on the All-Rookie Team by fellow-freshman standout Amy Stevens. Stevens led Lock Haven with six goals and each of the rookie stars had two game-winning goals on the season.  
 
Academic standouts:
MacKenzie Farley and Emily Robb were both named to the All-Academic Team as the duo proved to get the job done in the classroom and on the field. Farley had 11 points on the year and Robb led Lock Haven's brilliant defensive unit.
 
Defense strong:
Lock Haven finished the season with eight shutouts, which led all Atlantic 10 teams. At the end of the regular season, LHU ranked third in Division I in shutouts per game, behind only UConn and Michigan.
 
Orlandini led the defense.
Standout goalkeeper Joaquina Orlandini, an All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection, led the defense from the backline. She started 18 of 19 games (played in 18) and made 58 saves. She was 10-8 overall with eight shutouts. Orlandini finished the season (1,134.57 minutes) with a 1.16 goals-against-average and a .725 save percentage. She led the A-10 in shutouts and ranked second in the A-10 in GAA (top-15 NCAA DI).
 
2019 Weekly Atlantic 10 Awards:
Nov. 4 // Defensive Player of the Week // Joaquina Orlandini
Oct. 21 // Rookie of the Week // Jazmin Palma
Oct. 14 // Player of the Week // Kayla Brathwaite
Oct. 14 // Defensive Player of the Week // Joaquina Orlandini
Oct. 14 // Rookie of the Week // Amy Stevens
Sept. 30 // Rookie of the Week Jazmin Palma
Sept. 9 // Rookie of the Week // Jazmin Palma
 
Home cooking:
Overall, LHU was 11-7 (6-2 A-10) during the regular season and six of the 11 wins came at home as the Bald Eagles once again performed well on their home turf. Lock Haven won three of the last four games at home.
 
Senior All-Star Game:
In mid-October (2019), it was announced that standout Kayla Brathwaite was named an alternate for the 2019 Victory Sports Tours/National Field Hockey Coaches' Association (NFHCA) Division I Senior Game. Annually, the Victory Sports Tours/NFHCA Division I Senior Game features top senior players in the nation. The selected seniors are given the opportunity to represent their institution while competing against their peers. This year, the Division I Senior Game will take place in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
A-10 Players of the Week:
 
Thank you seniors:
On October 20, LHU celebrated Senior Day 2019 with a 4-0 win over Wagner. The 2019 LHU field hockey seniors include Kayla Brathwaite, MacKenzie Farley, Anna King, Emily Robb, Katie Supey, Taryn Piano and Taylor Plouse, along with student assistant Jordan Crispeno.