The Eagles return 15 players and seven starters from last year's team, including fifth-year seniors Charlene Belanger and Danielle Beard. AU also welcomes seven freshmen and a pair of new assistant coaches to a team looking to improve from last season.

 

Belanger returns for her senior season as one of AU's most accomplished goalkeepers. She ranks third in career games (48), minutes (4,228) and shutouts (9), and has helped anchor a defense that blanked George Washington and Robert Morris in the Eagles' preseason matches.

 

Beard, who received a medical redshirt in her junior year, has played in 59 matches and started 55 on the back line for the Eagles.

 

American, which went 3-14 last season, defeated Robert Morris, 2-0, in its final exhibition match of the summer. Sophomore Kaylee Hillard and junior Marley Jennings scored the goals for AU.

 

The Eagles went through three periods with the Patriots in a scoreless draw.

 

The Lancers finished 8-8-3 a year ago and beat American 2-1 in last season's opener. The one-goal loss was one of nine suffered by the Eagles last year.

 

American will play George Mason on Sunday at 1 p.m. in its home opener.