The American University field hockey team faced a challenging start to their 2024 season but turned things around, finishing with a winning record and advancing all the way to the Patriot League Championship game.
The Eagles fell to VCU 1-0 in a hard-fought season opener that stretched into double overtime Aug. 30. The Eagles and the Rams engaged in a tense standoff, battling through four scoreless regulation periods and an overtime stretch before the Rams clinched victory with a decisive goal in the 72nd minute. Freshman midfielders Kylie Briggs and Olivia Morraye made their collegiate debuts in the intense matchup.
The Eagles fell 3-1 to the nationally No. 7 ranked Louisville Cardinals in their second game of the season on Sept. 1. Sophomore defender and midfielder Sarah Steinman scored in the 9th minute, but the Cardinals evened out 1-1 less than a minute later. Returning from the halftime break with momentum, the Cardinals seized control midway through the third period, netting their second goal to break the deadlock and take a 2-1 lead. Louisville sealed their cushion goal in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on a penalty opportunity with just under 10 minutes remaining.
The Eagles lost 3-2 to the James Madison Dukes on Sept. 6 in a closely contested game that went into double overtime. A penalty corner taken by James Madison in the 75th minute proved decisive, securing a 3-2 victory for the Dukes over the Eagles. Sophomores forward Jordan Reicher and defender Sophie Willemse each netted their first goals of the 2024 season. Graduate student goalkeeper Bryn Underwood delivered a standout performance with eight saves.
The Eagles secured their first win of the season on Sept. 8 with a 4-0 victory over the Longwood Lancers. After a tough first half, ending 0-0, goals from seniors forward Federica Turina Dellamaggiore and forward Delia Rabatin, along with Reicher and Willemse, sealed the win. This marked the first time since their 2023 win over Yale that the Eagles won by a 4-goal margin. Despite 3 more shot attempts, the final score remained 4-0.
The Eagles won 4-1 against Lock Haven on Sept. 13, with a fast start that saw Reicher score just 22 seconds into the game, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Reicher's goal was her third of the season. Sophomore forward Emma Guydish also made an impact, scoring her first collegiate goal. Dellamaggiore sealed the win in the 54th minute, chipping the ball over the goalkeeper to give the Eagles a 4-1 lead.
The Eagles lost 3-2 to No. 3 ranked Virginia in a relatively even matchup on Sept. 15. Senior forward Rebecca Bonness scored her first goal of the season in the 24th minute, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead. However, the Cavaliers equalized just before halftime with a penalty corner in the final 34 seconds. Virginia took the lead in the 50th minute, but the Eagles responded in the 56th minute when Reicher capitalized on a turnover and scored the equalizer. In overtime, Virginia's offense proved too strong, as they registered 3 shots before clinching the win with a goal in the 67th minute.
On Sept. 20 the Eagles defeated William and Mary 2-0, with Graduate student midfielder Emily Horace scoring the opening goal in the 4th minute. The first half remained quiet after that, ending 1-0. After the break, the Eagles struggled, with multiple cards issued to players. However, in the 47th minute, Reicher broke through the Tribe's defense and scored the Eagles' second goal, securing the 2-0 win.
The Eagles lost 1-0 to the Delaware Blue Hens on Sept. 22, who scored in the 15th minute. Despite several attempts to equalize, the Eagles were unable to find the back of the net, and the game ended with the Blue Hens securing the win.
The Eagles kicked off their Patriot League campaign on Sept. 27 with a 1-0 win against Lafayette, marking the start of a four-game winning streak. Two days later, on Sept. 29, the Eagles followed up with a 1-0 victory over Penn, a 3-2 triumph against Colgate on Oct. 5, and a 2-0 shutout over Boston University on Oct. 11.
The Eagles’ 4-1 loss to the No. 6 ranked Maryland Terrapins, on Oct. 14, broke their winning streak. Steinman being the only Eagle to find the back of the net.
The Eagles bounced back during their Oct. 19 game against Holy Cross, with a dominant 5-1 win. Senior midfielder Kaleigh Missimer opened the scoring with a penalty stroke in the 8th minute, followed by Bonness' second goal of the season with a powerful slap shot. Senior midfielder Agustina Roffo set a career-high with her fourth and fifth goals of the season, while Winkler added her first goal in the 28th minute to cap off the commanding victory.
The Eagles fell 2-1 to Brown following their dominant win over Holy Cross the day before. Missimer scored the Eagles' lone goal, but the Bears quickly equalized within 15 minutes. Brown secured the win with a decisive goal in the 55th minute, holding off the Eagles' efforts to level the score.
The Eagles extended their momentum with another four-game winning streak, defeating Lehigh (3-0) on Oct. 5, HOFSTRA (2-1) on Oct. 27th, and Bucknell (2-0) on Nov. 22.
The Eagles secured a 2-0 victory over Boston University in the first game of the Patriot League Tournament on Nov. 7, marking their second win of the season against the Terriers and earning a spot in the Championship game.
On Nov. 9, the Eagles fell 2-1 to the Lafayette Leopards in the Patriot League Championship game. In a hard-fought match with no goals until the fourth quarter, Roffo gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute. However, a penalty stroke in the 54th minute allowed Lafayette to tie the game, and less than 10 minutes later, the Leopards scored again to secure the championship title.
Eagles head coach Steve Jennings had a lot to say about the Eagle’s rough start to the season and their progression throughout.
“Our team’s accomplishments were marked by a dogged pursuit of excellence, despite facing some significant challenges throughout the year. We overcame an 0-3 start and gained steady momentum throughout the fall,” Jennings said.
“Ultimately, we played our best hockey at the most important time of the season and captured the Patriot League regular season title. Although we lost the Patriot League Tournament final in heartbreaking fashion, we played like champions throughout the match and will hold our heads high for how we attacked the game with skill and a front-foot mentality,” Jennings said.
Horace reflected on the unique challenges of the season and the team's resilience in the face of adversity.
“I think this season was one with many real-life situations off the field, but the strength of this team and our connection helped us push through it,” Horace said.
“Many hard but valuable lessons were learned over the course of 4 months, and while we did not get a trophy to show for it, we have lifelong friendships and memories to remember instead.” Horace said. “Field hockey isn’t everything, and unfortunately, I think this season showed that the hard way. There were moments of greatness as well as moments of disappointment. However, the connection and support that AU field hockey has for each other lasts in all moments, and that is really what matters.”
American University’s Field Hockey team showed incredible resilience in their 2024 season, bouncing back from an 0-3 start to win the Patriot League regular season title and reach the championship game. Although they narrowly fell to Lafayette in the final, the Eagles are holding their heads high, proud of their growth and determination. As they bid farewell to standout players like Roffo and Underwood, the team looks forward to building on this season’s success and welcoming a new generation of talent for the next chapter.
This article was edited by Connor Sturniolo, Delaney Hoke and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Emma Brown, Nicole Kariuki and Sabine Kanter-Huchting.
