The No. 18 American University field hockey team improved to 4-2 with a 2-0 win over No. 20 Massachusetts on Saturday at Jacobs Field. Hannah Weitzman recorded her first career shutout for the win while Natalie Ellenberger and Shelly Montgomery each scored first half goals for the Eagles.

American (4-2) came out strong to start the game and created an early goal off a penalty corner three minutes in. Ellenberger inserted the ball to Kirstin Gebhart, who set up Gina Hoffman's pass back to Ellenberger at the left post. Ellenberger received the pass and tapped it past the UMass (3-4) goalkeeper for her second goal of the season.

The Eagles nearly found the back of the cage eight minutes later when another penalty corner was inserted to Constanza Palma. Palma ripped a pass into the circle for Christine Fingerhuth, but Fingerhuth's deflection sailed over the crossbar.

Gebhart set up American's second goal in the 14^th minute as she sent a pass from behind the 25-meter line into the shell. Her pass bounced off a Minutewoman defender and rolled to Montgomery, who slipped it between the keeper's legs at the left post for the first goal of her career.

The Eagles dominated the first half, holding advantages in both shots (5-0) and penalty corners (2-0). But just as the Eagles were in control of the first period, the Minutewomen responded with a strong second half. Massachusetts outshot American 5-1 in the final 35 minutes and received seven penalty corners to American's one.

The Minutewomen let two chances slip away 13 minutes into the second half, when back-to-back penalty corners were shut down by Gebhart and Weitzman. UMass also made a strong push in the waning moments, racking up four penalty corners in a five minute span. American's defense stood its ground in front of the reliable Weitzman, however, allowing the Eagles to walk away with the victory.

"We had an excellent start to today's game and that set the tone right away," Head Coach Steve Jennings commented. "I thought our defensive intensity in the first half was the best we have had all year.  UMass is a great team and we knew they would come at us hard after the break but we were able to adjust and stay resilient.  We are happy to get the shutout and now have a quick turnaround to a very important game tomorrow."

Gebhart was credited with an assist on both of American's goals while Hofmann also assisted on Ellenberger's tally. The two are now tied for the team lead with four assists on the year. Weitzman, meanwhile, played all 70 minutes in the cage and recorded two saves en route to the first shutout of her career.

American held a slight 6-5 advantage in shots while Massachusetts controlled the penalty corner margin 7-2.

American will return to Jacobs Field to take on No. 17 James Madison tomorrow, Sunday, September 19, at 2:00 p.m.  Due to scheduling conflicts, the game will not be broadcast on Eagles Vision TV.

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