The American University field hockey team opened Patriot League play with a 4-0 shutout of Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon to remain undefeated at Jacobs Field.

American (5-2, 1-0) got on the board early, with a Carly Atchison goal in the first 31 seconds of the game. Atchison drove inside the circle and fired a shot over Maya Langman for the 1-0 lead. The Eagles registered a pair of shots after the score, forcing Holy Cross to call a timeout to try to stop American's momentum. But the Eagles continued to pressure the Crusaders, recording 11 shots and holding Holy Cross to three in the first half.

American took a 2-0 lead early in the second half on a penalty corner in the 38th minute. Grace Wilson sent a shot into the circle where Jaclyn Anspach was waiting, tapping it into the right corner for her first goal of the season. The Eagles added another five and a half minutes later on another penalty corner. This time Wilson found the back of the net, rocketing a shot past Langman for the 3-0 advantage. Rebecca Treharne and Atchison had the assists on the score.

American continued to go on the offensive, notching five attempts before Katie Lonsky put away a shot in the 56th minute with an unassisted tally for the 4-0 lead. The Eagles registered four more shots before the final horn, holding Holy Cross (2-3, 0-1) without an attempt in the entire second half.

American outshot the Crusaders 24-3 in the game and held a 10-1 advantage in penalty corners. Stephanie Burry recorded one save as the starting goalkeeper for her first shutout of the year. Langman finished with 12 stops for Holy Cross.

American is back in action tomorrow, Sunday, September 22, when it takes on No. 15 Wake Forest at 1 p.m. on Jacobs Field. The game will be broadcast live on Eagles Vision TV.