Feb. 25, 2009

When the American University field hockey team defeated Bucknell last fall to win the Patriot League championship, it was the team's sixth straight league title. For Exeter High School graduate and senior mid-fielder Jesika Pufnock, it was her fourth league title in four years.

In her four years on the team, the Lady Eagles never lost a league contest.

"Winning the sixth straight Patriot League title was a great experience for me," said Pufnock. "For me, it's really a tribute to the teams that started winning the Patriot League championships. Before every Patriot League championship game I've played in, I always think of that first team and what it must have felt like to hold that trophy for the first time after years of disappointment. I'm happy that our team could keep it going. I'm very proud of that."

During Pufnock's time on the team, the Lady Eagles have made three trips to the NCAA tournament, including being part of the Elite Eight in 2005. In those four years, the team was never ranked below the top 20.

Steve Jennings, the head field hockey coach at American University, believes it was no coincidence the team did so well while Pufnock was there.

For the complete article by Ric Webb of the BerksMont (Pa.) News click here