BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After going behind twice, the second time with six minutes left to play in regulation, the American University field hockey team showed grit and mental strength to come back and defeat Lehigh University, 3-2, in overtime. The result gives head coach
Steve Jennings his 300th career victory, all coming during his 25-year tenure at American.
QUOTES FROM COACH JENNINGS
"What a great effort from both teams tonight. We didn't start out well, but we made adjustments along the way that allowed us to exert more and more pressure throughout.
"It was a great show of resilience when we had to come back twice from a goal deficit in the final quarter and we could not be prouder as a staff for how well we just keep pushing. We still have a lot of work to do, but it was a massive win on the road against a very strong Lehigh team."
"Tonight was made extra special by the reality of such a big milestone–being associated with 300 wins is something hard to fathom, but it pales in comparison to the women of excellence who have graced our program and my life with their passion, skill, and drive.
"The wins are a result of great people coming together to try their hardest to do something special. I have been blessed with the most amazing players, staffs, and support throughout my time at AU and this is an achievement we can all celebrate together."
QUICK NOTABLES
- First-year Sophie Willemse scored her second goal of the season when she grabbed the Eagles' first goal of the contest.
- Charllene Boshoff's penalty stroke goal puts her at seven total goals on the season. Boshoff's seven goals is now a team- and co-league-leading tally. The senior defender has played in nine of American's 13 contests, having missed four games earlier on when she was called to South Africa for international duty.
- Emilia Winkler's fifth goal of the season was the definition of clutch when in the sixth minute of overtime it gave the golden-goal victory to the Eagles. The Berlin native also earned an assist on the Eagles' first goal.
- Jennings' 300 career wins is a milestone only 19 other coaches of the sport have reached before him. Currently at .648 in win percentage, he sits at 10th amongst active coaches and 22nd all-time.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was Lehigh that struck first with a quick goal in open play in the 14th minute. The Mountain Hawks ran down the right side and drew Bryn Underwood off her line before the ball was crossed in front of the goal and send in by Lela Boermeester. Lehigh led 1-nil early.
- Three shots on goal from Federica Turina Dellamaggiore came in the second frame, but all that resulted were three saves from Lehigh goalkeeper Jenny Canoni.
- It was in the 51st minute that the Eagles struck back. On a penalty corner inserted by Megan Hoffman. Winkler tapped it to Willemse who rocketed the ball into the goal. Fifth-year Hoffman would earn her sixth assist of the season while first-year Winkler got her third.
- Three minutes later, as time was becoming short, Lehigh responded on another quick goal, this one in transition to take the lead on a goal from Abbie Brown that had Underwood off her line. And the score was 2-1 with the edge to the Mountain Hawks.
- On the other end of the field, a minute later, Boshoff scored for the Eagles to bring it back to 2-all. In the 55th minute, American was awarded a penalty stroke and the senior defender grabbed her team-leading seventh goal of the season.
- The game would be decided in overtime as neither team found the back of the goal in the remaining five minutes of regulation and the programs were still knotted at 2-all.
- In the 66th minute, the Eagles would earn their overtime victory from their 11th penalty corner of the game. The ball went all around the circle before Winkler would send it in from what seemed to be an impossible angle on the right side of the circle and the Eagles would win 3-2.
- American had an 20-7 shots advantage and a 12-2 shots-on-target advantage, but Lehigh was able to capitalize and tally goals from both of their shots on frame. AU also held an 11-5 advantage in penalty corners.
UP NEXT
- American will go again on Sunday, Oct. 15 in the Keystone State against Drexel at noon.
- Then the Eagles are coming home to celebrate Senior Day as well as Alumni Day on Saturday, October 21 against Holy Cross at noon. The Alumni celebration will also commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Eagles' first Patriot League Championship as well as the 10th anniversary of the 2013 Championship.
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