Sep 13, 2008
No. 14 AU Field Hockey Takes Down Northwestern, 5-2
Sept. 13, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The No. 14 ranked American University field hockey team took a 5-2 decision over Big Ten opponent Northwestern on Saturday afternoon at the University of Maryland's Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex. The Eagles improve to 3-2 on the season, while Northwestern falls to 3-2.
AU got on the board early, as Irene Schickhardt deflected an Anne Van Erp pass at 4:02 for the 1-0 lead. The Eagles upped their lead to 2-0 at the 9:23 mark when Savannah Graybill set up Christine Fingerhuth for a score. Fingerhuth gathered the ball and sent a reverse chip shot passed Wildcats keeper Emily Kyle for the goal.
Fingerhuth struck again on an unassisted goal just under the 16 minute mark to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead and Graybill gave AU a 4-0 advantage on a diving reverse deflection on a Anne-Meike De Wiljes feed at 24:58. Northwestern would score just before the half at 31:36 when Elizabeth Dobbs tallied off of a penalty corner to cut the lead to 4-1 heading into the second half.
Northwestern would score again at 64:26 to open the second half but American would answer just under a minute later on a de Wiljes goal on assists off a penalty corner from Schickhardt and Jesika Pufnock.
Alyssa Poorman made six saves for the Eagles as each team took 11 shots on the day. Van Erp was credited with a defensive save at the 22:16 mark for AU.
"We are very pleased with our conversion rate and attack in the first half," said AU head coach Steve Jennings. "We put the game away early against a quality Big Ten opponent and look forward to the challenge against Maryland on Wednesday."
The Eagles will return to College Park on Wednesday for a regional matchup against ACC foe Maryland at 3 p.m.
