RICHMOND, Va. – On Friday afternoon the Eagles and the Rams battled it out through four scoreless periods of regulation and a fifth scoreless overtime period before the Rams found the back of the goal in the 72nd minute. The American University field hockey team ended up falling on the road to VCU, 0-1, in double overtime in its first contest of the season. 
 
QUOTES FROM COACH JENNINGS
"We always have high aspirations of starting the season with a great result but unfortunately dropped a very tight contest to an excellent VCU team today. In many ways, today was typical of a first game of the year–a lot of nerves and a lot of light bulb opportunities for both teams. The match was super competitive and quite even: it came down to a moment.
 
"We will work hard to grow from today to be better positioned for success on Sunday when we host Louisville."

QUICK NOTABLES

• Two first years, Kylie Briggs and Olivia Morraye, were each able to pick up their first collegiate minutes in the contest.
• The Rams only managed three shots on goal in the entire game, the final two coming back-to-back in the final moments of the match. 
• A quartet of seniors, Agustina Roffo, Federica Turina Dellamaggiore, Delia Rabatin, and Kaleigh Missimer, each went 1-for-1 in shots on goal for the Eagles.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the opening quarter, most of the offensive efforts came from the Eagles, with five penalty corners taken to The Rams' nil.
• Despite the pressure, nothing broke through for either team in the first and that trend continued into the second quarter as well. It wasn't until two minutes before halftime that the Eagles earned another penalty corner, their sixth of the contest, but the shot went wide to the right of the goal.
• Nothing was going for either of the team in the second half of regulation. Each team earned one corner a piece in the third, including VCU's only corner of the game, but neither was able to capitalize on the opportunity.
• It was in the second overtime period when the Rams' Luisa Fasold, two minutes into the frame, found the back of the goal. The shot came off a rebound of a save by goalkeeper Bryn Underwood immediately following a shot from teammate Georgia Carr.
• AU held a 6-1 lead in corners on the game, none of which came in the fourth period or in overtime.
• The Eagles also led in shots on goal in regulation, 4-1 over the Rams.

UP NEXT
The Eagles will return home to Jacobs Complex to take on the Cardinals of #7 Louisville on Sunday, September 1 at 1 pm. In celebration of the 2023 Patriot League Championship team, there will be a banner unveiling prior to the start of the game so be sure to arrive early.
 
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