After over a year without playing any games, the American University field hockey team won their season opener against Bucknell in a 4-0 shutout. Most of the lineup consisted of returning players — goalie Bryn Underwood was the only freshman starter. Since most of the rotation had already played together, the team had incredible chemistry, and the freshmen quickly found a rhythm in their first-ever Patriot League game.
AU spent the vast majority of the game on offense, with Bucknell only making two shots, both in the second half. However, that doesn’t mean the defense didn’t step up when it needed to — sophomore Charllene Boshoff and junior Georgia Davies played all 60 minutes to defend AU’s goal and provided some great defense late in the game when Bucknell started advancing into AU’s half of the field.
Junior Josie Formica scored AU’s first goal of the season off of a redirect from senior Noor Coenen during an offensive penalty corner in the second quarter. Early in the third quarter, junior Aidan Rossman followed up with a goal of her own, scoring during a penalty corner to put AU up 2-0. Coenen scored the third goal on a wide-open shot, and sophomore Abby Kreider followed up with the fourth goal late in the fourth quarter.
Reigning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Coenen was the standout player of the game with one goal and two assists. She also led the team in shots, four of which were on goal.
Overall, AU’s field hockey season opener was a successful start for the team in this year’s shortened season. Head coach Steve Jennings is optimistic about the team, and knows they have the potential to improve.
“It was a great thrill to be able to be back on the field again,” Jennings said. “I think this game got us off to a great start, but we know we have a lot of work to do and improvement to make, so it has to be one game at a time and we have to put ourselves in a position to be successful going forward. I think it’s a small step in a positive way, but we have a lot of work to do to get where we want to go.”
