Box Score The No. 9 American University field hockey team's season came to an end Saturday in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament, as the Eagles lost in a stroke off to No. 5 Connecticut 3-2 in College Park, Md.
UConn (16-5, 4-2) got off to a quick start, scoring two goals less than seven minutes into the action. The first came off the stick of Anne Jeute as the Huskies converted on their second penalty corner of the day in the sixth minute. In the seventh minute it was Ali Blankmeyer who found the back of the cage as she received a pass from Cara Silverman in front of the cage. American (18-4, 5-0) was able to rally after a timeout in the 10th minute and shutout UConn for the remaining 93 minutes of action.
The Eagles managed seven shots in the first half but were unable to put any past Huskie goalkeeper Sarah Mansfield as she recorded six saves in the period. Both teams went into the intermission with seven shots while American held a 5-3 edge in penalty corners.
American dominated play in the second half and by the 58th minute had tied the score at two. Jaclyn Anspach tallied both goals for the Eagles in a three-minute span, marking the first multiple-goal game of her career. The freshman scored her first in the 55th minute when she picked up the rebound off a Gina Hofmann shot and slipped it past Mansfield at the left post. Anspach's second score came moments later with a shot from the top of the circle off a feed from classmate Constanza Palma.
American attempted four shots in the final eight-plus minutes but was unable to capitalize on its opportunities, sending the match into overtime.
Goalkeeper Hannah Weitzman played remarkably in the first overtime period, recording three saves to keep match tied at two. Kirstin Gebhart added a defensive save on the Huskies' final attempt of the period to send it to a second overtime.
Both teams attempted two shots in the second overtime with each goalkeeper coming up with one save. Just as she had in the first overtime, Gebhart ended the second overtime with a defensive save, her third of the day, to force the stroke off.
Each team failed to convert on their first stroke but then put the next four into the back of the cage. American received conversions from Hofmann, Christine Fingerhuth, Gebhart and Lotte van de Mierop, while Jestine Angelini, Alicia Angelini, Blankmeyer and Robin Kleine converted for the Huskies. Tied 4-4, the stroke off moved into sudden death where Rayell Heistand scored the game-winner for UConn.
"Today's match was an honor to witness. Both teams threw everything they had into the game and it was only fitting that a winner could only be found after sudden-death strokes," Head Coach Steve Jennings commented. "I am so proud of our team's effort and resiliency to come back from an early 2-0 hole. We had some great chances to win in regulation but UConn has a tremendous defense and made sure the game stayed level. I want to congratulate the Huskies and to extend my deepest thanks to my seniors who gave the program the very best of themselves for the past four years."
