Sept. 29, 2012

(3-7), (0-1) 1 2 American 2 0 1 #14 Lafayette 1 3 4 Box Score | Box Score (PDF) (8-1), (1-0)

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Lafayette field hockey team continues to roll as it knocked off preseason league-favorite American, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon.

Junior Haley Keenan and senior co-captain Deanna DiCroce each netted two goals for Lafayette as the Leopards jumped out to a 3-0 lead 15 minutes into the contest and never looked back. Sophomore Kelsey Mead and seniors Emily Valeo and Maria Machalick added assists for the Lafayette attack.

The Lafayette defense was led as usual by sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Deutsch, who, while not having a save, was vital in stopping four penalty corners and six American shots.

"Our team moved the ball very well in the first half and got off to a great start," head coach Andrew Griffiths said." "American fought back well early in the second half, but we showed great toughness to turn the momentum back in our favor."

Lafayette lit up the scoreboard just 3:42 into the game as a brilliant feed from Mead allowed DiCroce to bury the ball past the American goalkeeper to take the 1-0 lead.

Less than four minutes later, Keenan scored her first of the game, this time putting DiCroce in the assist column. Not finished with the onslaught, DiCroce connected again in the 14^th minute off a high feed from fellow co-captain Emily Valeo to put the Leopards up 3-0.

The Eagles finally netted a goal in the 48^th minute as American's Carly Atchison tapped in a rebound to bring the Eagles within two.

Keenan added an insurance mark in the 58^th minute, as Machalick fed a rebound across the net for a wide open one-timer.

Lafayette returns home for four straight contests, taking on Penn on Wednesday at Rappolt Field at 7 p.m.