Nov. 13, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - American University's sixth-ranked field hockey team suffered a 3-0 loss to the University of Maryland in the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament today in College Park, Md.
The second half began much like the defensive battle the first frame was, with Maryland holding a slight offensive edge in the opening minutes. AU goaltender Allison Fayfich (Wexford, Pa./N. Allegheny) came up with a clutch save in the 13th minute when she kicked out a Jackie Cicconte shot to keep the game scoreless. Fayfich followed that up with an even more spectacular save when she shut out Maryland's Tiffany Marsh less than two minutes later.
Maryland broke the tie on their sixth penalty corner opportunity of the game when senior Lauren Powley deflected a shot over the AU goal keeper with just over 10 minutes to play in regulation. Maryland's Meredith Long netted the insurance goal at 7:07 after the ball was sent in by Cicconte. Long drive in, received the pass and slid the ball past Fayfich for give the top-ranked Terps a two goal cushion.
With the air taken out of them, Maryland continued to apply pressure netting a third goal, Long's second with under two minutes to play. The Terrapin defense held the potent AU offense to just one penalty corner and six shots all match.
Both teams had their chances early in the first half with UMD outshooting American 8-4 in the first 20 minutes of play. Fayfich made a statement early in the game for the Eagles, making three outstanding saves on Terrapin penalty corner shots. AU's best chance came towards the middle of the period when AU had two shots in succession, both saved by Kathryn Masson.
Fayfich finished with seven saves as the Eagles were outshot 16-6 in the contest.
American finishes the 2005 season with a 20-2 record and ranked sixth in the country, both program bests. The game marked the final match of the season for AU's seven players, perhaps the most talented group in the school's history, including seniors Heather Maranzano (Williamsburg, Va./Jamestown) Javiera Villagra (Santiago, Chile/Santiago), Maureen Daniel (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa), Caroline Vo (Watertown, Mass./Watertown), Shannon Goans (Ellicott City, Md./River Hill), Kristen Collins (Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Ochard) and Lindsay Carroll (Pittstown, N.J./Delaware Valley Regional).
