WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Lafayette field hockey team fell to the top-seeded host, American, in the Patriot League Championship game this Saturday. Both teams showed high levels of play for the full 60-minutes. The Leopards move to 14-6 overall and conclude their fall 2021 season.

Senior captain Audrey Sawers, who sent the Leopards to the championship game with an overtime goal against Bucknell, was named to the Patriot League Field Hockey All-Tournament Team after earning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honors. Patriot League Rookie of the Year freshman midfielder Lineke Spaans and junior defender Simone Hefting joined Sawers on the all-tournament squad.

The Leopards came out strong in the first quarter, but had unfortunately given up three penalty corners by the 10-minute mark. Senior goalkeeper Hailey Abbott led the defensive unit to shut down the Eagles' attackers each time.

Both Lafayette's outlet passing and communication were sharp today, allowing the offense to get a few good looks in the circle. Freshman Alex Darrah and senior Mary Gould each fired two shots on American's Underwood.

The second quarter came and went with no goal-scorers, as the Leopards received their first two penalty corner opportunities with just under two minutes left. Lafayette continued to show a commanding team possession on the ball, but American's Horace struck first with just 30 seconds left in the half.

American's Boshoff scored during a penalty corner at 10:42 in the third quarter. Patriot League Rookie of the Year Lineke Spaans then intercepted a slow American transfer pass and ran it down for a corner of Lafayette's own. The Maroon and White rallied to keep the ball in the opposing twenty-five for just enough time to get a second chance. Junior Felicitas Hannes swept the ball right over American's goalkeeper to cut the Eagle's lead in half, assisted by Audrey Sawers (37:21).

The Leopards defense held their own at the start of the final quarter, with junior Sydney Woolston cutting off multiple American advances into the circle with a carefully placed stick on the ground. Lafayette pulled their goalie at 2:24 to try to even the score to be able to go into overtime, but was unsuccessful.

American held the advantage in total shots (11-7), as well as penalty corners (12-5).

Lafayette's senior goalkeeper Hailey Abbott made two saves, matching her American counterpart Bryn Underwood.

The Leopards end the 2021 season at 14-6 overall.