The American University field hockey team (12-7) beat the Boston University Terriers (6-11) in their Patriot League semifinal 1-0 on Nov. 7. With the win, American advanced to face Lafayette in the Patriot League Championship on Nov. 9.
The Eagles beat the Terriers 2-0 in their first matchup on Oct. 11, but that didn’t mean this game would come easily. Both teams played difficult non-conference slates, with many games coming against nationally ranked opponents. As the tournament host and reigning champions, American had a lot of expectations on their shoulders.
“I see [expectations] more as a motivation,” sophomore defender Sophie Willemse said. “Home games always mean that there's a lot of a lot more family and friends that can come to watch and I just use it as motivation to work hard for them.”
American dominated the first three quarters of the game offensively, but just could not finish. Finally near the end of the third quarter, Federica Turina Dellamaggiore sent the ball into the cage on a corner. Unfortunately for the Eagles the senior forward’s goal was called back for being dangerous. The third quarter came to a close still 0-0, the Eagles anxious to make one count.
At this point in the game, American had 18 shots and 7 corners — both more than double BU’s. They had all of the chances, but in a tied playoff game that doesn’t matter until they actually score.
The fourth quarter began with much of the same as the Eagles controlled play but could not score. The 0-0 scoreboard loomed large on American as they and their 1-3 record in overtime hoped to end it in regulation.
Halfway through the fourth, Willemse took a free hit at BU’s 25-yard line. Her ball hit a Terrier defender, earning another free hit. Willemse jumped on the opportunity, and ran with the ball before the Terriers’ defenders could adjust. She powered into the circle and drove her shot into the goal. Willemse single-handedly put American up 1-0 with eight minutes left in the game.
“During practice, we always talk about just playing to the whistle, and I didn't hear a whistle, so my brain just went blank, and I was just like, I'm going. And it worked out,” Willemse said.
“She worked so hard, and she really ripped that one,” head coach Steve Jennings said. “I think it helped us kind of settle down and put them under immense pressure to have to try to get back in the game.”
The sophomore provided the only offense of the day, but the Eagles would not have won without their strong defense either. Graduate student goalkeeper Bryn Underwood posted her eighth shutout of the season to lead American to the title game. Senior defender Tayla-Jade Weiss directed play out of the back end, as usual.
“From a defensive aspect, I felt that we were locked in. We had a lot of momentum offensively, and I just felt like it was a matter of time until we got a ball in the back of their cage. It was just a matter of when, instead of if,” Underwood said. “And I honestly wasn't that stressed about whether we were going to get scored on or not, because we did a really good job of doing our job.”
American was back on Jacobs Field Nov. 9 where they took on Lafayette for the Patriot League Championship. American, the 2023 champs, looked to hold onto the trophy, but ultimately lost the title as Lafayette earned it for the first time since 2012.
This article was edited by Connor Sturniolo, Delaney Hoke and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks and Sabine Kanter-Huchting.
