Oct. 13, 2007

Box Score

EASTON, Pa. - Led by Savannah Graybill's first career hat trick, No.16 American University field hockey toppled Lafayette, 8-0, on Saturday afternoon at Rappolt Field. The Eagles improve to 11-4-0 on the season and a perfect 3-0 in the Patriot League.

American opened the scoring gates early in the first, with Irene Schickhardt netting her first of two goals in the third minute. The Eagles took their lead and ran with it, netting three more goals in a 15 minute span. Christine Fingerhuth tallied her first of two goals on the day, Schickhardt chipped in her second and Jesika Pufnock registered her second of the season to give AU a 4-0 advantage at the end of the opening frame.

American University would pile on four more goals in the second half, with Graybill netting a hat trick, including back to back goals in five minutes, and Fingerhuth notching her second of the game. Four Eagles registered assists in Saturday's win (Denise Infante, Megan Henry, Pufnock and Fingerhuth).

Led by Infante, Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week Annie DeWiljes and Rookie of the Week Anne Van Erp, American's defense was stellar. The defensive core let up just one shot on goal, three shots total and only surrendered one penalty corner opportunity for the Leopards. AU tallied eight penalty corners, 18 shots and 12 shots on goal in the contest.

"We came out with a high level of intensity and were able to get on the board early, which really set the tone for the game," said Associate Head Coach Sarah Thorn. "Before the game we talk about dominating our match-ups in every area and today each player stepped up and took that heart. "

The eight-goal margin of victory is the largest for the Eagles since the 2005 season, when AU defeated Lehigh and Colgate, 9-1.

American University returns to action on Wednesday when it makes the short trip to Towson, facing the Tigers at 5 p.m.