The American University field hockey team scored eight unanswered goals after allowing Towson to get on the board first en route to a dominating 8-1 victory Saturday in the Terrapin Invitational at the Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Md.

Freshman Kelsey Davis got the scoring started for the Eagles (2-2) when she was able to put the ball into the cage on a thunderous shot following a cross from sophomore Alli Baron in the 12^th minute.  The goal was the first of Davis's career.  Senior Savannah Graybill gave American the lead for good when her shot from just inside the circle found the back of the cage in the 19^th minute off an assist from sophomore Melissa Casale.

American started the scoring quickly in the second half, beginning with a tally from junior Anne van Erp less than five minutes into the frame. Van Erp cleaned up a Graybill rebound and rocketed a shot past Towson keeper Jamie Dowling to double American's lead to 3-1.  It would be only 39 seconds between goals for the Eagles as Casale scored her first of the season. Christine Fingerhuth found Casale on a drag flick off a penalty corner, increasing Towson's deficit to 4-1.

American continued to roll as Baron notched her first tally of the year in the 48^th minute.  Davis found van Erp at the top of the circle and as she fired as shot towards the goal Baron was there to touch it into the cage to push the score to 5-1.  Senior Anne-Meike De Wiljes would later add two goals for the Eagles off penalty corners with her second coming in the 61st minute off a missile of a shot past Dowling.  Freshman Jen Bradley also got in on the action, scoring the Eagles eighth and final goal of the afternoon in the 66^th minute courtesy of a penalty corner feed from De Wiljes. 

American was paced offensively by De Wiljes's 5 points (2 goals, 1 assist) and received three points each from van Erp, Baron, and Casale (1 goal, 1 assist). As dominant as its offense was, American's defense played just as well, holding the Tigers to just one shot on the afternoon. Overall, the Eagles outshot Towson by a margin of 22-1 and maintained a 13-1 advantage on penalty corners.

"We were very happy with the effort of our team today," Head Coach Steve Jennings stated. "They have been training exceptionally hard and making significant improvements in key areas. Today the result took care of itself because of attention to detail and a clear decisiveness.  We look forward to continuing this type of success as we prepare for tomorrow."

American will return to action Sunday, September 13, against Penn State in the team's second match of the Terrapin Invitational in College Park, Md.  Gametime for the Eagles and Nittany Lions is set for 12 noon. Live stats of the matchup can be viewed by clicking here.