Game 5  ·  American (3-1 PL) vs. Lafayette (1-4 PL)
Sunday, April 18  ·  2 p.m.  ·  Washington, D.C. (Jacobs Complex)
All-Time Record: American leads, 22-8
Broadcast Talent: Jeremy Huber (pxp)

WASHINGTON - The American University field hockey team will fight for a potential top-seed in the Patriot League Tournament on Sunday with a 2 p.m. start against Lafayette at Jacobs Complex. The Eagles have already clinched one of the top two seeds in the tournament, but an AU win and a Boston University loss this weekend would secure the top spot and hosting rights for American.

PLEASE FOLLOW US ONLINE ONLY; NO FANS OR SPECTATORS PERMITTED ON CAMPUS

• Per Washington, D.C. and American University guidelines, and for the health and safety of our coaches, student-athletes and campus community, no spectators are permitted at athletics events in 2020-21.
• This policy is a stipulation of our approval to host athletic events from D.C. Department of Health and D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
• We do not anticipate a change in these guidelines this semester. Violators will be escorted from the site and jeopardize our ability to host athletic events for our student-athletes.
• All American University athletic events played on campus this spring will be streamed on ESPN+ (FAQ HERE) and can also be watched through the Patriot League's International Video Stream.
• Schedules and game updates can be found at www.AUeagles.com and our Twitter account @AUeagles.
• All scheduled events and start times are subject to change. 

SERIES HISTORY

• American continues to dominate the 30-game history against the Leopards with a 22-8 record after picking up a thrilling 2-1 double-overtime victory in Easton on April 4. Sophomore Merel Dupont put away her first career goal during regulation to take a 1-0 lead before Lafayette drew even in the fourth quarter. It took until the final minutes of the second overtime period for senior Gaby de Kock to put away the golden goal and secure the win.
• That win was the third consecutive for AU in the series, including the 2019 Patriot League Championship when the Eagles brought home their 11th title in a 3-2 decision over Lafayette in Washington, D.C.
• The Eagles are 12-1 against Lafayette in Washington, D.C., including a 6-0 run that dates back to the 2013 season. The only time the Leopards beat AU at home was on September 29, 2012 (4-1).

SCOUTING THE EAGLES

• American comes into the weekend off back-to-back victories, including a 2-0 shutout of Lehigh during the Eagles' senior day celebration on April 11.
• Sophomore Julia Kraft opened scoring with her second goal of the season while junior defender Maura Phelan sealed the deal with her first career goal off a penalty stroke in the second quarter.
• Freshman Bryn Underwood continues to guide the team from the cage and earned her second career shutout with five saves on the day.
• Both Phelan and Underwood were selected as Patriot League Players of the Week for their efforts while Kraft made honorable mention.
• The Eagles have had a well-rounded offensive effort this season, with eight players contributing at least a goal each and Kraft leading with two. Senior Noor Coenen leads with six points off four assists and a goal while sophomore Abby Kreider has the other assist so far this season.
• Junior Georgia Davies continues to anchor AU's defense, helping lead the team to a league-high 1.31 scoring margin and 0.75 goals against per game average.
• Underwood leads the league with her two shutouts and 0.66 goals against average so far this season. She also ranks fifth with 2.75 saves per game.
• American continues to lead the country with 10.25 penalty corners per game. The Eagles also rank in the top-10 in Division I for goals against average (seventh), save percentage (sixth), and shutouts (sixth).

SCOUTING THE LEOPARDS

• Lafayette will look to bounce back after back-to-back losses against American and Bucknell on April 4 and April 11, respectively. The Leopards only win of the season came against Holy Cross on March 28 (2-1).
• The Leopards led 2-1 at the half against the Bison behind goals from Tara Hamilton and Audrey Sawers, but didn't have a response after Bucknell fired in a pair of goals midway through the third quarter. 
• The two teams were even with 10 shots and five penalty corner opportunities each.
• Lafayette goalkeeper Emma Garvey came up with six saves before being pulled in the final two minutes.
• Audrey Sawers leads the team with seven points so far this season off three goals and an assist. 
• Tara Hamilton also has a brace of goals, and Simone Hefting enters the weekend with one. Anna Steps has the only other assist on the season.
• Emma Garvey and Hailey Abbott have shared duties in the cage. Garvey leads with eight saves (.615) and a 2.23 goals against average while Abbot has three saves (.429) and a 1.25 goals against average.

JOINING A NEW FAMILY

• The Patriot League signed a multi-year agreement with ESPN to make ESPN+ the new home for all conference events starting with the 2020-21 seasons.
• Fans can watch all of American's home events on ESPN+ with a subscription - either $5.99 a month or $59.99 per year. Fans can also subscribe to the service as part of the Disney Bundle for just $12.99 per month.

For the latest on American University Field Hockey, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_FieldHockey) and Instagram (@aufieldhockey).