19th-ranked Eagles look for berth in first round

Nov. 10, 2003

WASHINGTON - American University field hockey (16-3, 6-0 Patriot League), ranked 19th in the nation and winners of the Patriot League Championship Tournament, will face Northeast Conference champion Quinnipiac (9-10, 3-2 NEC) in an NCAA Play-In game today at 1 p.m. on Astroturf Field on the University of Maryland campus. American is having one of the best seasons in school history. The Eagles' 16 wins are second most all-time, their 57 goals are third-most and the 18 goals they have given up are the second-least in the history of the program. American ranks third in the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 0.93 goals per game, as of Nov. 5. In addition, the Eagles offense ranks 14th nationwide with 3.07 goals per game. American's 2.14 goal average margin of victory ranks seventh in the nation. Individually, Eagle goaltender Laura Miller (Pennsburg, Pa./Quakertown) ranks first nationally in save percentage (.858) and third in goals against average (0.926). Senior forward Melissa Snyder (Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard) leads the Eagles in goals (15) and points (36). Sophomore Maureen Daniel (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) leads American with 11 assists. Sophomore Kristen McCarthy leads the Bobcats with four goals and five assists for 13 points. Goaltender Erin McKay is 9-9 this season, with eight shutouts, a 1.57 goals against average and a .842 save percentage. The winner of today's game will move on to the first round of the NCAA tournament against an opponent that will be announced tonight.