The American University field hockey team will look to capture its ninth straight Patriot League Championship this weekend at Jacobs Field. The top-seeded Eagles will take on the fourth-ranked Bucknell Bison at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 4.

American (9-7, 4-1 PL) secured the tournament's top seed and their ninth consecutive Patriot League regular season championship with a 3-1 victory over Lafayette on Sunday. Senior Natalie Ellenberger scored first for the Eagles with a goal in the 31st minute, before the Leopards leveled the match with a score less than two minutes into the second half. The contest remained tied for more than 20 minutes before senior Melissa Casale scored her fourth goal of the season and sophomore Shelly Montgomery added another to set the final margin at 3-1.

Senior Tatum Dyer was a key contributor on the defensive end, helping hold Lafayette to just five shots all day. Dyer was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week for the fourth week and was also recognized as the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday, the sixth American student-athlete in the past seven years to earn the award. Head Coach Steve Jennings was also recognized as Coach of the Year for the eighth time while six Eagles received All-League honors. Dyer, Jenn Bradley and Gina Hofmann were named to the All-Patriot League First Team while Casale, Alex McMackin and Montgomery received second team honors.

Dyer and McMackin each led the team with 16 points. McMackin has recorded eight goals and two assists this season, as Dyer has added six goals and six assists. Sophomores Stephanie Burry and Ashley Dalisera have split the time in the cage for the Eagles. Burry has recorded a 1.88 goals against average with a .600 save percentage, while Dalisera has posted a 1.90 goals against average and .714 save percentage.

In their first match of the weekend, American will take on the Bucknell Bison (7-11, 3-2 PL). Senior Mallory Smith leads the Bison offensively, and has registered 18 points on six goals and six assists, while junior Tayler Siegrist has recorded two defensive saves this season. In the cage for the Bison is sophomore Erica Perrine, who owns a save percentage of .728 and goals against average of 2.07.

Bucknell handed American their only conference loss of the season earlier in the year, recording a 3-1 win. Ellenberger scored the lone goal for the Eagles, despite the team outshooting Bucknell 24-11. American is 10-2 all-time against Bucknell and 2-0 in tournament play.

With a win, the Eagles would face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 2 Lafayette and third-seeded Lehigh at 2 p.m. In regular season conference play, American defeated both sides by scores of 3-1 and 5-0, respectively. The Eagles are 9-4 all-time against Lafayette and a perfect 12-0 versus Lehigh since joining the Patriot League in 2001.

All three matches will be broadcast live via Patriot League All*Access. Fans can purchase a month-long subscription for $7.95 to watch each game, as well as all other fall Patriot League Championships. For more information on Patriot League All*Access, click here.