The American University field hockey team blanked Bucknell, 4-0, to advance to its ninth Patriot League Championship game in the last 10 seasons. The Eagles will look to reclaim the title when they face top-seeded Lafayette on Saturday, November 3 at 3 p.m.

"I'm very happy with our team's performance today," said Head Coach Steve Jennings. "We were focused on the details and stuck with the plan, and that allowed us to really grown into the game and take it over in the second half. But at this time of year we have to move on very quickly to play another notch higher against one of the best teams in the nation. We know we will have our work cut out for us."

Bucknell (9-10) had the first opportunity of the game on a penalty corner three minutes in, but Amie Pritchard's shot went wide of the cage. The Bison had another penalty corner in the eighth minute as Kelly Stefanowicz's attempt was saved by Ashley Dalisera.

American (10-9) registered its first attempt in the 12th minute off a penalty corner, with Carly Atchison's shot going wide. The Eagles continued to pressure the Bucknell keeper to open the game and finally gained the advantage in the 33rd minute. Julie Fosseprez sent consecutive shots in, with both being saved by Erica Perrine, but Shelly Montgomery collected the second rebound and sent it past Perrine for the 1-0 lead.

The Bison tried to add the equalizer after the intermission, but Dalisera came up with the save on Rachel Misko's attempt. American took the 2-0 lead on Isabel Terwindt's first career goal. Jaclyn Anspach sent in the pass from the end line and Terwindt was able to tip it in for the two-goal advantage in the 41st minute.

The Eagles scored against in the 52nd minute when Gina Hofmann notched the tally off a penalty corner as Kati Rothenhoefer and Fosseprez registered the assists. American added the exclamation point in the 66th minute, when Montgomery recorded her second of the day on a penalty corner as Fosseprez and Atchison were credited with the assists.

American outshot Bucknell, 13-4, in the match as the Bison were held to just one opportunity in the second half, with a 12-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Eagles also had a 6-4 edge in penalty corners. Dalisera recorded three saves as the starting goalkeeper for her third shutout of the year.

The Eagles will face defending Patriot League Champion and 12th-ranked Lafayette at 3 p.m. tomorrow, November 3 in Easton, Pa. The top-seeded Leopards advanced to the title game with a 4-3 overtime victory over fourth-seeded Colgate. The title game will be broadcast live on Patriot League All*Access.