PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – After clinching a berth in the Patriot League Championship with their overtime win over Lehigh on Friday night, the American University field hockey team took on the Coastal Athletic Association's Drexel on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles were unable to stop the Dragons, falling 0-2 on the road.
QUOTES FROM COACH JENNINGS
"I think there are so may positives from today's match despite the result against a strong and well-coached Drexel team. We continue to get better and better and had long periods where we were in ascendancy. Moving forward, we need to fine tune areas which will allow to capitalize when we have the game in our phase.
"We have a big week ahead to prepare for Holy Cross and will turn our attention to making the improvements we need to be successful."
QUICK NOTABLES
- This is just the second time American has been held goalless this season. The first time was against Liberty, a game that finished 0-0 after overtime and the Flames won in a penalty shootout.
- The Eagles were the first team to clinch a spot in the Patriot League tournament on Friday in their game against Lehigh.
- On Friday, Steve Jennings earned his 300th career win. This is a milestone only 19 other coaches of the sport have reached before him.
- Agustina Roffo and Charllene Boshoff both registered two shots on goal apiece while Kaleigh Missimer and Imogen Hatton each had one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Two corners were earned by the Eagles within the first five minutes of the contest, but the Drexel defense was holding strong.
- In the 20th minute, American had two back-to-back shots four seconds apart, one from Missimer and the second from Hatton, but the Drexel keeper, Megan Hadfield managed to save both and clear the danger out of the Dragons' defensive circle.
- The 25th minute was when the scoring started. The Dragons struck first with a goal from freshman Val Van Hellemont with her tenth goal of the season.
- In the 38th minute, Drexel earned their first corner of the game, but the Eagles' defense held off the insertion and following attack. American had already taken five by this point in the contest. The Eagles also led 3-2 in shots on goal at this point, 9-4 in shots taken overall.
- In the 60th minute, the Dragons were awarded a penalty stroke but sent it wide right and the score remained with Drexel leading by two.
- The Eagles were ahead in the stats, 9-2 in corners, and 15-10 in shots, but the Dragons took an 8-6 lead in shots on goal, making their aim that much more precise and effective.
- Both goalkeepers, American's Bryn Underwood and Drexel's Hadfield made six saves during the contest.
UP NEXT
- 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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