WORCESTER, MASS. - Andrew Herman put home an assist from Adam Rosen in second overtime to help No. 2-seeded American advance to the Patriot League championship game, as the Eagles defeated No. 3 Lehigh, 1-0, in a hard-fought semifinal here this afternoon.

The shutout was the fourth straight for the American defense, and the ninth of the season, and could not have come at a more important time.

"Most championship tournament games are won by 1-0 or 2-1 margins," said American coach Todd West, who advances to the first league title game of his career. "Our defense from Michael Behonick (keeper) forward was outstanding, and when you get that, you must fine a win."

American (11-7-1, 6-1-0 PL) advances to Sunday's Patriot League Championship game, where it will face top-seeded Holy Cross. The teams played once earlier this season, as the Crusaders claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win on their home field. Holy Cross dispatched Navy, 1-0, in this afternoon's first semifinal.

"This is the (championship) game that everyone wanted to see," West commented. "It pits one of the best defenses (American) around against the Offensive Player of the Year (Holy Cross' Matt Ney). It should be an outstanding game."

The Eagles, in their inaugural season as a member of the Patriot League, were the preseason favorites to win the league title.

Herman, the Patriot League Rookie of the Year, was a late-season sensation for the Eagles. He notched a hat trick against Princeton on Oct. 20, and went on to score seven goals and add three assists, good for 17 points. He has scored American's last two goals, both game-winners.

The teams combined for 27 shots on the afternoon, with American leading, 15-12. A rough game at both ends, American was called for 25 fouls, while Lehigh tallied 17.

Ryan Grzeszczak made three saves for the Mountain Hawks, while Behonick made two stops for the Eagles.

The winner of the Patriot League Championship receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which has been expanded to a field of 48 this year.