Oct. 4, 2008

Box Score

WASHINGTON - The American University field hockey team broke its three-game skid with a convincing 4-0 win over Holy Cross in the Patriot League opener on Saturday at Jacobs Field. The Eagles played in front of a crowd of 513 fans for the annual "Phil Jacobs" event and they were not disappointed as Irene Schickhardt put on a seven-point performance, having a hand in every goal on the day.

The American attack was firing on all cylinders from the opening whistle, as the Eagles held possession deep in the Holy Cross end of the field in the opening minute. It only took 40 seconds for Irene Schickhardt to find the back of the net. Christine Fingerhuth took a shot from five yards out right in front of the net that Crusaders keeper Erin Singleton pushed aside to the right of the cage, where Schickhardt put the rebound away for the 1-0 lead.

The Eagles almost struck again just two minutes later, but Schickhardt's shot was called too high. AU would eventually get retribution for the called-off tally, as Fingerhuth took a pass from Schickhardt from the left of goal that the Chilean native easily put away and the Eagles led 2-0 6:53 into the game.

Holy Cross (3-6, 0-1 PL) had its best chance to cut the deficit in half with 3:29 left in the half, when Nora Happny and a mix of Crusaders were crowded right outside the crease, but were guilty of a foul and the opportunity was stopped.

AU (4-5, 1-0 PL) responded with just 1:24 remaining until the intermission when they capitalized on a penalty corner opportunity. Natalie Ellenberger inserted the corner, which was stick-stopped by Anne-Meike De Wiljes, setting up Schickhardt's second goal of the day and the Eagles took a 3-0 lead into the second half.

The Eagles created their first opportunity in the second half with 25:52 left in the game when Schickhardt's sent in a pass from the right endline that found Savannah Graybill just three yards out from goal. Graybill's reverse stick shot was sent just wide by Singleton to keep the lead at three.

Schickhardt would complete her hat-trick at 54:07 when she put away a pass from Anne van Erp and the Eagles would hold on for the 4-0 shutout.

"Patriot League play is an important part of our season and we were eager to set the tone early on today," AU associate head coach Sarah Thorn said. "The players energy and intensity from the opening whistle was a key factor in todays game. The entire team provided relentless pressure on Holy Cross, while Irene Schickhardt, Kirstin Gebhart and Christine Fingerhuth had stand-out performances. We are extremely happy with this result but now must move on to prepare for tomorrows match against La Salle."

Alyssa Poorman made four saves in her third shutout of the season, while Singleton finished with eight saves for the Crusaders.

American held a 22-7 advantage in shots and a 6-3 edge in penalty corners.

The Eagles are on short rest, as the head back to Jacobs Field for a non-conference tilt with La Salle at 1 p.m.