Box Score

Two early goals proved too much for the No. 14 American University field hockey team to overcome as the Eagles fell to No. 8 Michigan State on Saturday, 5-1, in Athens, Ohio. Senior Savannah Graybill scored her 30^th career goal in the second half for American's lone tally on the day.

Michigan State (2-1) got on the board first as Floor Rijpma scored off her own rebound 5:42 into the match. Rijpma inserted a penalty corner and had the ball slipped back to her before her initial shot was stopped by American (1-2) goalkeeper Alyssa Poorman. Rijpma picked the ball back up on the rebound and beat Poorman for the game's first tally. Rijpma would also score the Spartans next two goals, giving Michigan State a 3-0 lead at the half. Rijpma's second goal came off a deflection on a Jeamie Deacon shot in the 14^th minute and her third was the result of a hard low shot just before the intermission.

After having limited scoring opportunities in the first half, American came out in the second putting more pressure on the circle and playing solid in the midfield. Despite their improved play, the Eagles were unable to create a quality scoring chance until earning a penalty corner in the 56^th minute. The corner resulted in a shot taken by Graybill which was saved by Michigan State's goalkeeper, Elissa Unger. Graybill put the eagles on the board in the 62^nd with a tremendous individual effort, weaving her way through two defenders and striking a bouncing ball out of the air and into the top of the goal.

Graybill's goal proved to be too little too late however as Michigan State had already added two scores to its halftime lead. Chantae Miller made the score 4-0 in the 38^th minute as she deflected a long pass to the far post. Deacon added the Spartans final goal in the 54^th minute with a reverse stick shot on a penalty corner.

"Michigan State is a great team and they played very well today," Head Coach Steve Jennings commented. "I think this will be a great challenge for us to learn from a game like this where the opposition controlled most of the game. We look forward to applying this experience to our preparation for next weekend's games."

American will return to action with two games next weekend in College Park, Md. The Eagles will first face Towson on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. before meeting No. 11 Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 12 p.m.