Nov. 8, 2008

Washington, D.C.--Top-seeded American University scored four second-half goals to overcome a halftime deficit and claim its sixth consecutive Patriot League Field Hockey Championship. The Eagles outlasted third-seeded Bucknell, 5-2, at the William I. Jennings Recreational Complex to advance to the NCAA Tournament Play-in Round. American sophomore Christine Fingerhuth was named Patriot League Field Hockey Tournament Most Valuable Player.

The Bison struck first, scoring 16:50 in the game. Morgan Kauffman collected a rebound and fired a shot into the cage to give Bucknell an early lead. American evened the score eight minutes later on a goal by Natalie Ellenberger.

The Bison regained the lead three minutes before halftime, thanks to Amanda Faust's second goal of the tournament. Morgan Kauffman set the table on a penalty corner. Corinne Raczek then stopped the ball and placed it for Faust, who blasted it into the cage.

American responded after the intermission, scoring four unanswered goals, including two in a 53-second span. Fingerhuth tied the score at the 39:36 mark. Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Irene Schickhardt found Fingerhuth near the goal, and Fingerhuth slipped the ball into the net. Savannah Graybill gave the Eagles their first lead of the game 53 seconds later, scoring an unassisted goal.

At the 52:03 mark, the Eagles extended their lead with an unassisted goal by Megan Henry off a rebound. Anne Van Erp rounded out the scoring two minutes later with a scoring strike off an assist by Schickhardt.

Fingerhuth, who scored the tying goal and anchored the American attack, was joined on the All-Tournament Team by three of her teammates: Savannah Graybill, Irene Schickhardt and Anne Van Erp. Runner-up Bucknell placed three members on the All-Tournament Team: Trina Boyer, Amanda Faust and Morgan Kauffman. Others on the All-Tournament team were Lafayette's Maggie Condon and Jackie DiSanti and Colgate's Katelyn Nerbonne and Laura Flisnik.

The Eagles will host Northeast Conference champion Lock Haven in a NCAA Play-In Game Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. The winner will advance to the NCAA Tournament, which will begin Saturday, Nov. 15.

2008 Patriot League Field Hockey Tournament MVP Christine Fingerhuth, American

2008 Patriot League Field Hockey Field Hockey All-Tournament Team

Christine Fingerhuth, American

Savannah Graybill, American

Irene Schickhardt, American

Anne Van Erp, American

Trina Boyer, Bucknell

Amanda Faust, Bucknell

Morgan Kauffman, Bucknell

Katelyn Nerbonne, Colgate

Laura Flisnik, Colgate

Maggie Condon, Lafayette

Jackie DiSanit, Lafayette