EASTON, Pa. – The 20th-ranked American University field hockey team returns to Patriot League play this weekend when it travels to Lafayette Saturday for a noon match. The Eagles then head to Drexel on Sunday at 2 p.m. for a non-conference match.
The Eagles are 8-4 overall and are in first place in the PL standings with a 3-0 mark. The Leopards are 2-1 in league play and are tied with 14th-ranked Boston University for second place.
American remained in the 20th spot in the weekly national poll of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association despite splitting its two matches at home last week. The Eagles suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to Liberty before beating Michigan State, 3-2.
Freshman forward
Kathryn Roncoroni came off the bench to score a goal in each match last weekend for the Eagles, earning Corvias PL Rookie of the Week honors. She now has four goals and 10 points on the season and is one of five Eagles with double figures in points.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Maura Jacobs has taken over much of the duties in the AU cage, coming into the weekend with a 6-3 personal mark that includes two shutouts. She has a 1.73 goals-against average.
Lafayette is 7-5 overall after having lost its last two matches. Earlier this season, the Leopards earned a win over Boston University, prevailing in a penalty-stroke shootout. Lafayette lost 2-0 at Holy Cross and 4-0 at Albany last weekend.
Senior midfielder Amanda Magadan leads Lafayette with 12 points and five goals. Senior goalkeeper Katelyn Arnold comes into the weekend with a 2.56 goals-against average.
Drexel begins play this weekend with a 6-7 record overall. The Dragons are 1-1 and tied for fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association and face a league match Friday at William & Mary before hosting the Eagles on Sunday.
Senior forward Idrienne Walker is Drexel's leading scorer with 19 points. She and sophomore forward Megan Wiest have eight goals apiece. Sophomore goalkeeper Erin Gilchrist has the bulk of the minutes in the Dragons' cage and comes into the weekend with a 3.22 GAA.
American returns home next weekend for matches Saturday at 11 a.m. with Colgate and Sunday at 1:30 against Delaware.
