Nov. 5, 2007
Athens, OHIO - After the Patriot League Champion and the winner of the Mid-American Conference were selected to face each other in the NCAA Play-In Game scheduled earlier this season, No.17 American University is set to face No.16 Ohio University on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. on the home turf of the Bobcats.
Inside the Series:
Today's game marks the first match-up between American University and Ohio. With both teams' season at stake, the outcome of this first meeting will not be forgotten. AU looks for its fifth-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament with a win over the Bobcats.
The Coaches:
At the helm of AU field hockey is head coach Steve Jennings, who is in his ninth season with the squad. With Jennings at the top, the program has accumulated an impressive 104-49 overall record, including five-straight Patriot League Championships (2003,2004,2005,2006,2007), all of which were outcomes of undefeated conference play. Neil Macmillan is in his third season with Ohio University. With 17 victories this season, Macmillan has led the Bobcats to their most successful season in 25 years.
Scouting the Bobcats:
With a 3-2 win over Miami in overtime in its conference finals, the Ohio field hockey team was crowned MAC Tournament Champion for the second straight year. It is the first time ever that a Bobcat field hockey club has won back-to-back regular-season and tournament championships. Ohio's 17 wins this season is the most wins the program has had in 25 years and the Bobcats are undefeated on their home turf dating back to November of last season. Torrie Albini leads the Bobcat offense with a team-high 50 points this season, combining 18 goals with 14 assists. Similar to American University's Denise Infante, Albini has been selected to represent her squad in the 2007 NFHCA Division I Senior All-Star Game. On the other end of the turf, Jessie Martin has started 20 games in goal for the Bobcats for a season total 1447:41 minutes. She has made 84 saves, posted 16 wins and totaled four shutouts.
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Play-In Game X 2:
This is the second NCAA Play-In game for American University. After winning its first Patriot League Championship in 2003, AU faced Quinnipiac in its first play-in game. The Eagles defeated Quinnipiac 4-1 before advancing to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.
A Handful of Championships:
After wrapping up regular-season Patriot League play undefeated for the fifth-straight year, American University was crowned the tournament champion for its fifth-consecutive season on Saturday, Nov. 3. After defeating Colgate 4-1 in the Patriot League semifinals, American University faced third-seeded Lafayette in the title game. With three different Eagles tallying goals and the defense solid in the back, AU defeated the Leopards 3-1 to defend their crown.
Repeat Offenders for American University:
For the second straight year, Head Coach Steve Jennings was named Patriot League Coach of the Year and Denise Infante was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Since joining the league in 2001, Jennings earns the honor for the third consecutive season and for the fourth time in his career (2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007). Infante is the backbone of an Eagle defense that ranks seventh in the nation in goals against average and ties for fourth in shutouts per game, while also leading the league and the team in points with 33, coming off 10 goals and 13 assists.
Unbeaten Seniors:
The 2007 American University field hockey senior class becomes just the second group of graduates to remain unbeaten in Patriot League play their entire four seasons.
The Road to the Tourney:
With a win against Ohio, American University will gain its fifth consecutive berth into the NCAA Tournament. Following all play-in games, the NCAA selection show is set for Tuesday night, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m., aired by CSTV.
