November 7, 2003

Worcester, Mass. - The AU field hockey team was able to clinch a berth in the Patriot League Tournament finals as they were able to pull off an intense 3-2 overtime victory over Lafayette. This is the second time the Eagles have defeated the Leopards in overtime this season. The Leopards started the game off with a early lead when junior Missy Farrand was able to put the ball behind senior goalie Laura Miller (Pennsburg, Pa./Quakertown) at the 25:27 mark, only the fourth Patriot League goal that has made it past Miller this season. The Eagles were evened the score, when Patriot League Rookie of the Year Camila Infante (Santiago, Chile/Santiago College) put the ball into the back of the cage after bringing the ball down the field on a 50-yd breakaway. "Camila scored an unbelievable first goal," said American University Head Coach Steve Jennings. "It is so dangerous when you have a player like that on your team, who can bring it up the field the way she did." The Eagles and the Leopards continued the fast paced game as both teams were able to score off penalty strokes, putting the score at 2-2 going into the second half. Infante took the stroke for American, her eighth goal this season. After a scoreless second half, the Eagles entered their third overtime of the season. Junior Javiera Villagra (Santiago, Chile/Santiago College) quickly ended the game just 57 seconds after receiving a perfect cross from sophomore Maureen Daniel (Clifton, Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa). "It was a brilliant effort by Javiera. We knew by the time we got to overtime, that we were the better team," said Jennings. "Overall it was a fast-paced game and both teams were dangerous on attack. This game helped us raise our level to the next step for tomorrow's championship game." The Eagles will face the winner of the Bucknell/Holy Cross semi-final game in the Patriot League Championship game on Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.