BETHLEHEM, Pa. – American University field hockey head coach Steve Jennings, graduate student goalkeeper Bryn Underwood, and freshman defender Olivia Morraye were voted the Patriot League Head Coach, Goalkeeper, and Rookie of the Year, the conference announced on Tuesday.
Lafayette led the way in All-Patriot League selections with six, three on the First Team and three on the Second Team. Bucknell came in second All-Patriot League selections as five selections, two on the First Team and three on the Second Team.
Four Eagles were voted to the two All-League teams including three on the First Team––Underwood was joined by senior midfielder Agustina Roffo and senior defender Tayla-Jade Weiss––and one on the Second Team with sophomore Jordan Reicher being named to the eleven.
No stranger to postseason awards, Bryn Underwood was honored with her fourth major award when she was named the league's Goalkeeper of the Year for a third time in her five year career. As a freshman (2020-21) she was Rookie of the Year and was awarded Goalkeeper of the Year in both 2021 and 2022. Underwood, along with her defensive line, has kept seven clean sheets this season across 18 games, good enough to be tied for ninth in the country in the statistic. Heading into postseason, Underwood carries with her a save percentage of .794, which ties her for eighth in the NCAA in the statistic.
Earning Rookie of the Year, this is Olivia Morraye's first major award as an Eagle. The freshman defender from Downingtown, Pa. finished the season fifth in the league in defensive saves (3) and played all but 37 minutes of gameplay this season, starting in all 18 games across her freshmen campaign. Across her rookie season, Morraye was the recipient of four Rookie of the Week awards. She earned her first collegiate goal against league opponent Lehigh on October 25. She also served as one of the Eagles main inserters on penalty corners.
Jennings continues to sit atop the Patriot League history books with now 12 Coach of the Year awards since American joined the conference in 2001. One of the most decorated field hockey coaches in the country, his teams have consistently been among the most dominant in the conference with 12 undefeated seasons after the Eagles closed the 2024 regular season at 6-0 in league play. This year also marked the program's 14th Patriot League regular season title, and the Eagles will look to also add their 14th tournament title this week.
Currently in his 26th season, Jennings owns an overall record of 315-172 (.647), including a staggering 116-20 (.853) in the Patriot League. He currently sits at 15th all-time among Division I field hockey coaches in win percentage, and sixth for career wins. He is also 37th all-time among all divisions for career wins.
Agustina Roffo's appearance on the First Team is her first recognition to a post-season team in her three seasons at American. The senior was tied for the lead on the team in goals with seven–four of which were game winners, including three in league play, one of which was scored in double OT against Lafayette to kick off the Eagles' Patriot League season. She is second in the league in in game winning goals. Roffo started in all 18 of AU's games this season and was crucial to moving the ball forward on the wing.
Joining Underwood and Roffo on the First Team is senior Tayla-Jade Weiss. The South African was shifted to the central defensive position from the wings last season and continued to make an essential impact both offensively and defensively from that key role, often the last line of defense before opponents could reach Underwood and the cage. Weiss started in all 18 games this season, playing every minute of every game, and finished the regular season with three assists. Weiss was named the league's Defensive Player of the Week twice throughout the season.
On the second team, Jordan Reicher was a menace to opposing team defenders all season long. The sophomore ended the regular season tied for first on the team in goals (7), including one game winner, and notched three assists, leading the Eagles in points with 17. She finished eighth in the league in goals and ninth in points.
American will open postseason play this this week as the No. 1 seed in the Patriot League Tournament. AU will host all three games of the tournament starting with the two semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 7. The first semifinal between the Eagles and No. 4 Boston University will open the tournament at 11 a.m. No. 2 Lafayette will take the field against No. 3 Bucknell at 2 p.m.
The Patriot League Championship game will be held at Jacobs Complex at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9.
2024 Patriot League Field Hockey Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Lily Neilson, Bucknell, Sr., F
Defensive Player of the Year – Kira Leclercq, Bucknell, Jr., D
Goalkeeper of the Year – Bryn Underwood, American, Gr., GK
Rookie of the Year – Olivia Morraye, American, Fr., D
Coach of the Year – Steve Jennings, American
2024 First Team All-Patriot League Field Hockey*
Agustina Roffo, American, Sr., M
Bryn Underwood, American, Gr., GK
Tayla-Jade Weiss, American, Sr., D
Payton Anderson, Boston University, Sr., D
Martu Coulo, Boston University, Jr., F/M
Kira Leclercq, Bucknell, Jr., D
Lily Neilson, Bucknell, Sr., F
Meggan Fourie, Holy Cross, Sr., A
Raffi Fragomeni, Lafayette, Jr., GK
Lineke Spaans, Lafayette, Sr., M
Makenzie Switzer, Lafayette, Jr., D
Julia Gatelein, Lehigh, 5th, M
Kiki Mes, Lehigh, Jr., M
2024 Second Team All-Patriot League Field Hockey
Jordan Reicher, American, So., F
Nicole Lauro, Boston University, So., F/M
Sarah Althouse, Bucknell, So., GK
Nicky Punt, Bucknell, Jr., M
Gianna Puorro, Bucknell, Jr., F
Grace Schmelzinger, Colgate, Jr., M
Sarah Potter, Holy Cross, Gr., A
Stella Malinowski, Lafayette, So., M
India Ralph, Lafayette, Sr., D
Josephine van Wijk, Lafayette, Jr., M
KK Sauve, Lehigh, Jr., B
*Additional players selected to the First-Team due to ties in the voting
