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American Wins Fourth-Straight Patriot League Field Hockey Title
Nov. 5, 2006 Patriot League Field Hockey Championship Page WASHINGTON - American captured its fourth-straight Patriot League Field Hockey Championship title in the highest scoring championship game in Patriot League Tournament history, 5-3, over Holy Cross on Sunday, Nov. 5 at the Eagles' William I. Jacobs Recreational Complex in Washington, D.C. Junior Denise Infante started off the day with a hard shot that found the back of the net off a penalty corner, putting the Eagles, 1-0. Holy Cross senior Tara Welch answered back less than two minutes later off a pass from junior Sara O'Coin. Senior Heidi Hershberger deflected an Infante shot at 16:02 in the first half to make it 2-1. The 2004 Patriot League Rookie of the Year Maggie Hall padded the lead, 3-1, for the Eagles with a score of her own with 12:48 remaining in the first half. Senior Laura Cohen pushed the deficient to just one with the Crusaders' second goal of the game at 27:32 off a penalty corner. Infante was at it again in the second half scoring right after a fake shot by her sister Denise to make it 4-2. Once again Crusader forward Welch followed up an American goal with one of her own putting back in her own rebound with a little over 15 minutes remaining in the game. American sealed the win when freshman Savannah Graybill scored her first-ever post season goal at 11:27 in the second half. The Eagles improve to 14-6 overall (5-0 PL), while the Crusaders end the season at 14-6 as well (4-1 PL). Each team reached the Patriot League title game with win in the semifinal round. No. 1 American defeated No. 4 Bucknell, 4-2, and No. 2 Holy Cross moved past No. 3 Lafayette, 5-2.
American's Camila Infante earned Patriot League Tournament Most Valuable player honors after scoring three goals over the weekend. This year marks the third in a row an Infante sister have earned the honor as Denise became the first-ever back-to-back recipient in 2004 and 2005. The 2006 Patriot League Field Hockey All-Tournament team was comprised of 11 student-athletes, including Camila Infante. Joining Camila on the all-tourney team from American were Denise Infante, Anne-Mieke De Wiljes and Hershberger. Other members of the team were Holy Cross' Susie Whelan, Laura Cohen and Welch, Bucknell's Sarah Ebright and Chyncia Smith and Lafayette's Maggie Condon and Caitlin Titus.
Welch ends her career as a Crusader ranked second all-time in the Patriot League with 59 career goals and tied for third in points with 135. Camila moved to second all-time in the Patriot League with 138 career points and fourth in goals with 49. Infante is also second in assists with 40. As the Patriot League's automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament the Eagles will find out their tournament fate on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. on CSTV. For up-to-date information including team rosters and past Patriot League champions, click here or go to the Championships tab located on the homepage above the Features block and click on Field Hockey.
2006 Patriot League Field Hockey All-Tournament Team 2006 Patriot League Tournament Most Valuable Player
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