EASTON, Pa. – American University women's soccer picked up an important three points in the Patriot League standings with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Lafayette on Saturday night.   

QUICK NOTABLES

• Alysa Vazquez picked up her first three assists of the season tonight. She is the first AU women's soccer player to record three assists in a game since Sara Perlman on Oct. 5, 2013 against Bucknell and just the fifth player to do so in program history.
• Tate Jordan picked up two goals and added an assist and now leads the team with five goals and 11 points.  
• Four goals is the most scored by AU since a 4-1 victory over Holy Cross on Oct. 13, 2018.
• Marsha Harper picked up her first Patriot League win as head coach of AU women's soccer.

QUOTABLE

Head coach Marsha Harper on the team victory

• "We didn't win on one individual player's effort. There were several players that played well. Even on the bench and on the sidelines, it felt like a team win. It's always nice to win, but winning in conference is even more special."

"Woman of the Match" Cailin Panacek on picking up the first conference win of the season

• "It felt great to get our first Patriot League win. It was definitely super-exciting. Obviously, the game was back-and-forth so it was great to be able to finish strong and get the W. A lot of girls were able to contribute to the win today with assists, goals, and defensive work. It was a really great team effort."

Alysa Vazquez on what motivated her three-assist performance

• "I had a couple things motivating me today. One of them just being to play for my teammates. Throughout the first two conference games, we were playing a great brand of soccer but we weren't getting the results that we wanted to get. Today, all 22 of us came to this game fighting and wanting and putting everything we had on that field so we could win for each other. Another motivator was that unfortunately I recently had a passing in my family. So I just wanted to dedicate this game to that person and play for her."

Alysa Vazquez on what's next for this team

• "Right now, we're on top of the world and we're enjoying this feeling. But we want shutouts. This isn't enough for us. I think that's good because it leaves something out there for us to continue to work toward. We're enjoying it tonight but once practice starts on Monday, we're back on the grind. We're ready to see Army on a clean slate."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• American was ready to play immediately, drawing a corner kick 85 seconds into the match.
• That opportunity set up the Eagles with possession in the danger zone. Vazquez had an initial shot saved by Lafayette before she popped the rebound up toward the goal line with Steel getting the last touch for an early 1-0 lead.
• Lafayette responded with a goal of their own in the 7th minute.
• In the 29th minute, Steel picked up her second goal of the game.
• Vazquez sent a dangerous ball in that found the head of Jordan before Steel stepped and fired to give AU a 2-1 lead.
• Gretchen Waechter found an equalizer late in the first half for the Leopards, sending the ball to the far post to make it 2-2 in the 43rd minute.
• The second half appeared to settle down from the frenetic pace of the first half, but that all changed in the final 25 minutes.
• In the 67th minute, Vazquez slid and shot the ball past the keeper and Jordan got the last touch and put the ball past the final defender for a goal.
• Just 10 minutes later, Jordan got her second goal of the night after Emily Smith stole the ball at midfield and sent a great forward pass ahead. Jordan stepped and fired to give AU a much-needed two-goal cushion.
• Lafayette was able to score in the 89th minute on a goal that was close to being called offsides but couldn't find the back of the net for an equalizer in the final 80 seconds.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• With her second-half assist, Smith now has eight helpers in her career. Two more assists will put her in a tie for 10th place in program history for career assists.
• American remarkably placed all nine shot attempts on goal tonight.
• Julia Kato picked up four saves on the night.

UP NEXT

• American will be back at Reeves Field for Phil Reeves District Day against Army on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 3 pm. 
• Saturday's game against Army will also serve as Alumni Day. Any alumni interested in attending can reach out to Katie Greenberg for more information on alumni events.

KEEP UP WITH US

• For the latest on American University Women's Soccer, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_WSoccer), Facebook (AU.WSoccer) and Instagram (@au_wsoccer).