Aug. 27, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University field hockey team earned the top spot in the 2008 Patriot League Field Hockey Preseason Poll, which is voted on by the League's six field hockey head coaches and six field hockey sports information directors. Coaches and SIDs can not vote for their own team. The Eagles came in first in the poll with 50 total points and 10 first-place votes. Lafayette was second in the poll with 36 points and earned the other two first-place votes. Rounding out this year's poll were, in order, Colgate (29 points), Bucknell (24), Lehigh (23) and Holy Cross (18).

AU has won the last five Patriot League Tournament titles, compiling a 26-0 League record over that span. Head Coach Steve Jennings' squad closed out the 2007 season with a No. 14 national ranking in the NFHCA poll after posting a 16-5 overall mark and going 5-0 in League games. Jennings was awarded the Patriot League Coach of the Year award for the fourth time in his career in 2007. While the Eagles return four All-Patriot League selections from a year ago they do lose First-Team All-American Denise Infante. Those back from the All-League list are senior Irene Schickhardt and the junior trio of Anne-Meike De Wiljes, Savannah Graybill and Alyssa Poorman. Schickhardt and Graybill tied for second in the League in points last year each with 28. Schickhardt posted nine goals and 10 assists, while Graybill had 13 goals and two assists. De Wiljes added in four goals and seven assists. Poorman is coming off a season with six shutouts to her credit and 1.21 goals against average and .720 save percentage.

Additionally, the Eagles will open the 2008 campaign ranked No. 15 nationally by the STX/ National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

AU will open its season on Saturday, Aug. 30 when they when the Eagles host New Hampshire at 11 a.m. at Jacobs Field for the opening round of the American Invitational. AU will play the University at Albany on Sunday at 3 p.m.