The No. 15 American University field hockey team will travel to Philadelphia this weekend for a pair of matches against Temple and St. Joseph's. The Eagles will take on the Owls on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 1:00 p.m. before facing the Hawks on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 3:00 p.m. Both matches will be played on the Temple campus.

American (5-2) is coming off a pair of strong performances against nationally ranked opponents. Last weekend the Eagles defeated then No. 20 Massachusetts 2-0 on Saturday before knocking off then No. 17 James Madison on Sunday, 2-1. Freshman Shelly Montgomery scored three of American's four goals over the weekend and was named Patriot League Player of the Week on Monday. Natalie Ellenberger and Hannah Weitzman were also recognized by Patriot League officials as Defensive Player of the Week and Goalkeeper of the Week, respectively.

The Eagles have utilized a balanced attack this season as 10 student-athletes have scored at least one goal and 12 of the 18 field players have registered a point. Senior defender Anne van Erp leads the team with eight points and three goals while also anchoring a defense that allowed zero field goals and only seven shots to Massachusetts and James Madison last weekend. Gina Hofmann and Kirstin Gebhart are tied for the team lead with four assists a piece, while reigning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Christine Fingerhuth has two goals and one assist on the season.

Temple (4-4) has lost four consecutive matches heading into Saturday's. The Owls began the season with a four game winning streak, but then lost a pair in overtime to Lafayette and Delaware to begin the skid. They are led by junior Bridget Settles, who has notched a team-high seven goals and two assists on the season. Four Owls have scored two goals apiece, including sophomore Katie Briglia, whose two scores were both game winners. In the cage for Temple is senior Sarah Dalrymple, who sports a 2.01 gaa and .717 save percentage.

American and Temple last faced each other in 2006, when the Eagles prevailed 3-1. American also defeated the Owls 4-2 in 2004.

St. Joseph's (3-5) has won two of its last three, including a 2-1 victory over Rider on Friday. Two of the Hawks three victories this season came against Patriot League opponents, with Temple outscoring Bucknell and Lehigh by a combined margin of 13-7. Senior Nicole McCreight leads the team with eight goals in eight games and has added two assists on the season. Three different Hawks have recorded three goals apiece with senior Caitlyn Crane leading the team with five assists. Goalkeeper Kelly Swanick has a 3.18 gaa and .768 save percentage on the year.

The Eagles last took on the Hawks in 2007, when St. Joseph's edged out American in overtime, 2-1.