The American University field hockey team will make its sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament Round of 16 on Saturday, November 14, when it takes to the turf against #1 Maryland at 11:30 a.m. in College Park, Md. The Eagles carry a four game winning streak into the matchup  and will look to advance to the Elite Eight for the third time in program history.

American is led on the offensive end of the field by 2009 Patriot League Player of the Year Christine Fingerhuth. The junior has scored a team-high 13 goals this season with three assists for 29 points. Senior Savannah Graybill and sophomore Melissa Casale have helped to give the Eagles a balanced scoring attack, as each has totaled 27 points on 11 goals and five assists. Two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Anne-Meike de Wiljes has anchored a defensive unit which has held opponents to just 1.30 goals per game. Senior goaltender Alyssa Poorman has a 1.27 goals against average, four shutouts and has posted an 11-8 record while playing against seven teams ranked in the national top-25.

American will carry a four-game winning streak into its matchup with Maryland on Saturday. Most recently, the Eagles defeated Lock Haven, 2-1, in the NCAA Tournament Play-In Game to earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament. American captured its seventh consecutive Patriot League Tournament last weekend and holds an overall record of 12-8.

Saturday will mark American's sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last seven years. The Eagles have advanced to the Elite Eight twice in program history. In 2004, American defeated Iowa, 2-1, in the first round and in 2005 earned a 3-2 victory over Penn State to advance to the second round. Both of American's victories in the NCAA Tournament have come in College Park.

Maryland enters the NCAA Tournament as the top seed with a perfect 20-0 overall record. The defending national champions are led by junior Katie O'Donnell's 69 points (22 G, 25 A), senior Nicole Muracco's 56 (27 G, 2 A) and senior Emma Thomas's 51 (20 G, 11 A). Senior Alicia Grater has started all 20 games in the cage for the Terps, posting a 19-0 record with three shutouts and a 0.97 goals against average. Maryland captured the 2009 ACC Championship on Sunday with a 3-2 overtime win over Virginia.

The Eagles and Terrapins met earlier this year at Jacobs Field in a game which Maryland won, 3-0, after scoring two late goals to put the lead out of reach. American has faced Maryland twice in the NCAA Tournament, both times in the Elite Eight, but was beaten 2-0 in 2004 and 3-0 in 2005.

The winner of Saturday's match will play Sunday afternoon against Drexel or Connecticut.  The Huskies and the Dragons will face off at 2 p.m. on Saturday in College Park.   

Tickets to Saturday's game can be purchased at the gate the day of the game and are priced at $5 for adults and $3 for youth. Due to a Maryland football game later in the day, parking on Saturday is restricted to parking lot 4i located next to the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex and will cost $15.