After over 73 minutes of scoreless play at Reeves Field on Tuesday afternoon, rookie forward Marley Jennings came through with the golden goal for the American University women's soccer team, lifting the Eagles to a 1-0 victory over area-rival George Mason.

After a slow start the American (2-4-0) offense began to click in the second half, outshooting George Mason (1-3-1), 10-3, after being outshot, 7-3 in the initial stanza.

"We really started to execute well after the break and started setting up some good chances offensively," said head coach Anabel Jimenez Hering. "Our young players as well as our upperclassmen had started to settle into their roles and really showed what they are capable of this afternoon."

Jennings made it two goals in as many games, burying her chance from inside the Mason box, being set up by two fellow rookies, Michaela Garcia and Sara Perlman.

The Patriots looked to be in control early, controlling for much of the first half, but George Mason could not find many looks on net. Junior goalkeeper Charlene Belanger was locked in, making two saves in the first half, before being removed just before the break after a Mason player ran into her in the box.

The second half was all Eagles as AU more shots, shots on goal and corner kicks than the Patriots.

George Mason pushed to find the equalizer late, but junior goalkeeper Sarah Dejak stepped up in place of Belanger, making one save and picked up the victory to move to 1-1-0 this season.

Eight Eagles finished with at least one shot in the match, with Jennings leading the way with three.

American returns to the pitch this weekend when they head north to the Fairfield Invitational. AU takes on the host Stags on Friday, September 13 at 7 p.m., before taking on Hartford on Sunday, September 15 at 11 a.m. The Eagles come back home to Reeves Field on Saturday, September 21 at 1 p.m., when they open Patriot League action against Lehigh.