AU field hockey won both games this weekend, defeating Bucknell 4-0 and Drexel 4-1 Saturday and Sunday at Jacobs Field.
Freshman midfielder Noor Coenen and senior forward Haley Bowcutt were the Eagles' not-so-secret weapons this weekend. Coenen scored three goals over the course of the weekend, and Bowcutt scored three against Bucknell.
“I thought we were [aggressive], especially in the second half,” Coach Steve Jennings said following Saturday’s game. “In the first half, we were on [the] front foot, but I don't think we were doing what was necessary in the circle to really score. In the second half, we were relentless and put Bucknell under a ton of pressure, and in the end, that was the game.”
On Saturday, Coenen scored the first goal after 49 minutes, and Bowcutt scored the other three all in the second half, with the last coming seconds before the final buzzer.
AU (6-2, 1-0 PL) recorded plenty more shots (13-2) than Bucknell and junior goalkeeper Maura Jacobs prevented both of Bucknell’s shots from entering the net.
The Bisons’ senior goalkeeper Emily Finn recorded seven saves but conceded all four goals to the Eagles, allowing AU to claim its first Patriot League win of the season.
On Sunday, senior midfielder Samantha McCormick scored the first goal with under 30 seconds remaining in the first half. Coenen added AU’s second after 45 minutes, assisted by junior defender Rachel Stefano and senior midfielder Anne Waverly Spencer.
Coenen scored the Eagles’ third goal by snatching possession of the ball at midfield and racing into Drexel territory to score after 67 minutes. The Eagles’ fourth and final goal was scored by junior midfielder Megan Benson and assisted by Rubas.
“When you’re forcing [the opposing team] to defend 100 yards and forcing them to drop back and defend their goalkeeper, that takes a lot of attack out of them,” Jennings said after Sunday’s game. “It makes the other team more defensive. I think we set the tone early, and our defense was able to rise to the occasion when it came.”
Drexel got on the scoreboard when sophomore midfielder/forward Tess Horan got the ball past Jacobs after 57 minutes.
AU outshot Drexel 27-6, and the Dragons’ junior goalkeeper Erin Gilchrist recorded 14 saves.
One of this weekend’s standout performers for the Eagles was junior defender Annaka Groschinski, who had clear passes and strong shots over long lengths of the field. Her ability to stay in centerfield while also protecting Jacobs in the goal contributed to AU’s two wins. Groschinski, Jacobs, Coenon and Bowcutt swept the Patriot League’s weekly awards for their performances in the Eagles’ two victories.
“We have good momentum, but were still going just one game at a time,” Jennings said Sunday. “As nice as it is to see how far we got, we’re also looking at the ones coming up. We know every game is tough and every game has us giving it our all.”
AU field hockey travel to Lehigh University for a match on Friday at 4 p.m. for another Patriot League matchup and return to Jacobs Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the University of Pennsylvania.
