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AU Field Hockey Collects Three Patriot League Awards
Five Eagles named to the Patriot League All-League Teams

Laura Miller has been named the 2003 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.

November 5, 2003

WASHINGTON - The American University field hockey team garnered three Patriot League honors, with senior Laura Miller (Pennsburg, Pa./Quakertown) being named Defensive Player of the Year, Camila Infante (Santiago, Chile/Santiago College) being named Rookie of the Year and Steve Jennings being selected Coach of the Year.

In addition to these honors, Miller and Infante were also named to the Patriot League All-League First Team with teammate Javiera Villagra (Santiago, Chile/Santiago College), while Maureen Daniel (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) and Melissa Snyder (Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard) were named to the Patriot League All-League Second Team.

Miller has led the Patriot League throughout the season with the highest save percentage (.860) and shutouts (nine). Her goals against average is third in the nation at 0.93 and with nine shutouts, she holds the AU individual season goalkeeping record for most shutouts.

In addition, Miller has been named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week four times in the 2003-2004 season, only allowing three Patriot League goals. Miller has recently been named to the prestigious South Squad of the STX/NFHCA North/South Division I All-Star Game.

Infante takes home the Rookie of the Year honor after leading the Eagles to one of the most successful offensive seasons in years, with six goals and eight assists; three of which were against Georgetown. As the Eagles took on Patriot League foes Lehigh and Bucknell, she was an instrumental part of the team, scoring both of the game-winning goals. Currently, she has had the second highest number of shots per game in the Patriot League, averaging 4.83, and the third highest number of assists at 12.

For the first time in his career, Jennings has been named Coach of the Year. In his fifth year as head coach, Jennings has led his team to the most wins since the 1996 season, posting an undefeated record against Patriot League opponents. He has transformed the Eagle field hockey team and established them as a nationally recognized team, and a definite leader in the Patriot League.

Villagra joins her teammates Miller and Infante on the Patriot League All-League First Team after leading the Eagles with her strong stickwork and offensive skills. Scoring in 10 of the 17 games, Infante has continually led the League in shots, points and goals.

In her second year as a Second Team All Patriot League selection Snyder will end her career with 14 goals and 6 assists for 34 points, including a four-goal game against Lehigh. Snyder finished the regular season with three game winning goals, and the highest shot percentage for the Eagles at .279.

Sophomore Maureen Daniel will join Snyder as a selection on the Second Team All Patriot League team for her outstanding offensive and defensive play throughout the season, including an impressive three defensive saves against Maryland. Not only does Daniel lead the team defensively, she also is a team leader on offense with nine goals and nine assists, with multiple goals twice.

The Eagles were able to close out their Patriot League season 6-0 and now look to capture the Patriot League Championship Nov. 7-8.