American University will be attacking the 2018 schedule with a chip on their shoulder. Motivation will not be in deficit for this well coached team as they came up short in the Patriot League Championships, losing to Bucknell in a shoot out in the semi-final game. Steve Jennings returns for his 20th season at the helm having guided the Eagles to 10 Patriot League Championships and 2 elite 8 appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
The Eagles will be playing on a brand new surface installed during the summer and Jennings has hired two new assistant coaches. Kristin Matula who comes via UMASS as a volunteer assistant and a USA Field Hockey site manager. She played her hockey at Michigan State earning all big ten honors. A second assistant Rachel McCarthy who was interim head coach at Ohio University arrives also playing Divison one hockey at Louisville. Steve also has a 3 year volunteer assistant Serge de Motle Veigo from Belgium.
Last year the Eagles won 13 and lost 6 scoring 62 goals in the process while only giving up 32 for a 3.3 -1.5 average per game. They earned 153 penalty corners. They lose to graduation Haily Bowcutt who scored a team leading 11 points along with returning senior Rafaela Rubas. Maura Jacobs the teams goalie is back for her final encore between the pipes. Jennings has reloaded with an incoming class of nine.
He must feel good about his team as his out of conference schedule is impressive with Harvard, Delaware,JMU, ODU,Rutgers, and national champion UCONN listed as opponents. Last year the Leopards lost 3-1 in Washington. This year it will be at Rappolt Field. Both team will have six days to prepare as American meets ODU before their trip north and Lafayette will meet Providence.
Oct 20th at noon at Rappolt. I like the Leopards in this one. Go Pards.
Lafayette College Field Hockey 