American Set to Host 2008 Patriot League Field Hockey Tournament

Nov. 5, 2008

WASHINGTON - American University is set to kick-off the 2008 Patriot League Field Hockey Tournament on Friday, Nov. 7 at Jacobs Field. The top-seed Eagles will open play against the fourth-seeded Colgate Raiders at 11 a.m., followed by a match-up featuring the second-seeded Lafayette Leopards versus the third-seeded Bucknell Bison at 1:30 p.m. The winners of each semifinal will meet for a 1:30 p.m. tilt (or minimum of 45 minutes after completion of first game) on Saturday, with the champion advancing to the NCAA Play-In Game against the winner of the Northeast Conference.

American, currently ranked No. 19 in the latest NFHCA Poll, has finished undefeated in regular season league play for the sixth-straight season. In the regular season game between AU and Colgate, the Eagles took a 2-0 decision in Hamilton, N.Y. Savannah Graybill and Rachel Carney tallied in the win, while Anne-Meike De Wiljes picked up assists on both goals. Alyssa Poorman earned the shutout for the Eagles, recording two saves. American is 10-0 all-time versus Colgate.

"We are very excited to have won the regular season and the right to host the Patriot League Tournament," said AU head coach Steve Jennings. "At the end of the day, we know that the entire year up to this point has merely been preparation for this moment--we will have to be at our best and most determined to fulfill the aspirations we have set for ourselves. While all of the teams that have qualified for the postseason are extremely talented, I believe very strongly in our team and the work we have put into this season...now it is time to shine!"

In the other semifinal pairing, No. 2 Lafayette will face No. 3 Bucknell for the second time this season. In the previous match, the two teams were knotted at one goal apiece after 70 minutes of regulation play before Lafayette tallied at 90:54 to take the victory in double overtime. Maggie Condon got the goal on an assist by Jaclyn DiSanti.