The American University field hockey team was defeated in double overtime on Saturday at Lafayette, 2-1. Christine Fingerhuth tallied the Eagles lone goal in the sixth minute but a bad carom in the 94th minute ended American's hopes of an overtime victory.

American (8-7, 3-1) opened the scoring early as Fingerhuth tallied her eighth goal of the year just 5:46 into the action. Fingerhuth gained control of a loose ball in the circle and made a spin move to the left to beat her defender. The junior then sent a reverse stick shot to the far post to beat Lafayette (12-5, 2-2) goalkeeper Kelsey Andersen, giving American an early 1-0 lead. The Leopards earned the game's next three quality scoring opportunities, each off penalty corners, but was unable to convert as the Eagles took their 1-0 advantage into the half.

Lafayette nearly tied the score in the 43^rd minute as Caitlin Titus sent a shot on goal. American keeper Alyssa Poorman was in position to make the save, however, keeping the Leopards off the board. The Eagles responded to Lafayette's threat with a flurry of shots midway through the frame but like Lafayette was unable to turn those opportunities into points. American sent three shots on goal in a span of 1:36, all of which were turned away by Andersen.

The Leopards finally found an answer to Poorman's strong play in the cage in the 67^th minute as Kelly Hilovsky converted off a penalty corner to even the score at one. Neither team was able to get a shot off as time wound down, sending the game into sudden-death overtime.

Rachel Carney made a bid to end the game in the 75^th minute but her shot was stopped by Andersen, keeping the Leopards alive. The Eagles would take two more shots in the extra frame but to no avail, as an Anne-Meike de Wiljes shot was saved and a Kirstin Gebhart shot went wide. Lafayette's Amanda Saber sent a shot on goal in the 85^th minute but once against Poorman was able to come up with the key save, forcing a second overtime.

The Leopards finally took the upper hand in the 94^th minute as Cicchi found the back of the net for the game-winning score. On the play, Cicchi drove the ball into the circle and fired a shot was initially looked to be saved. The ball, however, caromed off an American defender and into the cage, giving Lafayette a 2-1 victory.

"While we are obviously disappointed with the result today, we played some great hockey just not enough in the critical zone," Head Coach Steve Jennings commented. "Lafayette did a great job in their deep defense and in the end made the final play."

American helped a slight 13-12 advantage in shots for the game but was out-cornered by the host Leopards, 9-4. Savannah Graybill notched a team-high three shots, with two going on goal, while de Wiljes, Fingerhuth and Gebhart each took two. Poorman, who played well all day, made four saves in the cage.

American will return to action on Saturday, October 31, as the team hosts Iowa at 1 p.m. and will be back in action on Sunday, Nov. 1, against Lehigh in both team's Patriot League finale at 2 p.m. Prior to the Eagles' match against the Mountain Hawks, American will honor its six graduating student-athletes during a pregame Senior Day ceremony. That match can be seen live on Eagles Vision TV, featuring multiple camera angles, a live scoreboard and analysis from a studio broadcast team and sideline reporters. To sign up for Eagles Vision TV today, click here.