The American University field hockey team went perfect in Patriot League play for the eighth time in program history, picking up its seventh shutout of the year and fifth in conference action with a 2-0 win at Lehigh on Saturday afternoon.

American (12-5, 6-0) challenged the Mountain Hawks early as Kati Rothenhoefer registered a pair of shots in the fifth minute of the contest. The Eagles took the 1-0 lead in the eighth minute, with Natalie Konerth receiving the pass from Jaclyn Anspach and tipping it in past goalkeeper Julia Ward. American nearly added another in the 19th minute on a penalty corner and Ward made the stop on Grace Wilson's attempt.

Lehigh (3-15, 0-6) tallied its first chance in the 21st minute of play, but Erin Ricker's shot went wide of the cage. The Mountain Hawks had two more tries two minutes later, but Caitlyn Mitchell's shot was wide and Kate McBeath came up with her first career save on Gabby Tofig's shot. McBeath made a pair of huge saves to prevent Lehigh from getting on the board in the 31st minute. Marissa Glatt posted her first shot of the afternoon and a penalty corner try by Ricker was stopped by McBeath to maintain the Eagles' advantage.

American switched the field and Ward made the save on Konerth's attempt, but Jess Davis was there for the rebound to record her first career goal and give the Eagles a 2-0 lead in the 32nd minute. Grace Parke nearly added another one minute later, but Ward came up with the stop.

Both teams recorded four shots in the second half as American's defense was able to preserve McBeath's first career shutout. Ward made three saves in the half, including stopping a pair of penalty corner opportunities early to prevent the Eagles from getting back on the board.

American held a 13-9 advantage in shots for the game and a 5-4 edge in penalty corners. McBeath totaled three saves in her first career start while Ward made eight stops on the afternoon.

The Eagles return to Jacobs Field to host the 2013 Patriot League Tournament next weekend. No. 1 American will face fourth-seed Lafayette in its Semifinal match on Friday, November 8 at 11 a.m. The 2013 Patriot League Championship will be held on Saturday, November 9 at 1 p.m. All of the tournament games will be broadcast for free on the Patriot League Network.