Field Hockey Announces 2004 Team Captains

Field Hockey Announces 2004 Team Captains

Sept. 1, 2004

WASHINGTON - Seniors Leah Danoff (Amherst, Mass./Amherst Regional) and Javiera Villagra (Santiago, Chile/Santiago College) join junior Maureen Daniel (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) as captains of the 2004 American University Field Hockey team, sixth-year head coach Steve Jennings announced on Wednesday.

Senior Leah Danoff


Danoff enters her final season with the Eagles as one of the team's top defenders. Her 2003 season was cut short after an injury sidelined her eight games into the season. Danoff provides solidarity and experience to the defensive unit after playing in 42 games for American. She is a two-time selection to the Patriot League's Academic Honor Roll. Villagra was the team's top scorer last season with 17 goals and one assist en route to being named to the 2003 STX/NFHCA Division I All-America Second Team. Villagra had her best game of the season against Quinnipiac in the NCAA Play-in Game when she scored all four AU goals. Villagra was a STX/NFHCA Division I All-Region Team selection and a First Team All-Patriot League member.

Maureen Daniel


Daniel started all 21 games for the Eagles last season, scoring 10 goals and 11 assists for 31 points. The Clifton Park, N.Y., native finished tied for third on the team last year with three game-winning goals. She was named to the Second Team All-Patriot League, the PL Academic Honor Roll and the NFHCA Division I National Academics Squad. Daniel was a solid contributor in her first year at American, starting in every AU game. "All three of these young women have provided strong leadership during their time at AU and I know that will continue this year," said head coach Steve Jennings. "Leah is a leader by example and brings a positive spirit to all she touches. Maureen is the quintessential team player and possesses tremendous grace under pressure. Javiera is our most experienced player on the team having represented her country internationally. Her knowledge of how to prepare for big games and the confidence that she infuses in the team is invaluable." Last season the Eagles tied a school record with 17 victories, on their way to a 17-4 overall mark. American was a perfect 6-0 in the Patriot League, defeating Holy Cross 1-0 in the championship game, granting them a bid to the NCAA Tournament Play-in game. In that game the Eagles defeated the visiting Quinnipiac Bobcats, but their season ended when after the second-ranked Duke Blue Devils handed AU a 3-1 loss in the opening round. American finished the season ranked 19th NFHCA poll and ninth in the NCAA RPI ratings.

Javiera Villagra


The Eagles' quest for another Patriot League Title began last Saturday when they defeated Albany 3-0. American brings a 1-1 record into this weekend's tournament games at Temple, after dropping a game to UConn last Sunday. AU faces Temple on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m., and either Iowa or UNC on Sunday.