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AU Field Hockey Defeats VCU, 2-1, in Penalty Strokes
Miller makes 18 saves in Eagle victory

August 31, 2002 | Stats

Laura Miller made 18 huge saves as the Eagles captured their season opener against VCU.

RICHMOND, Va. — American University’s field hockey squad captured its season opener this afternoon in a thrilling game at Virginia Commonwealth. American (1-0) was able to defeat the Rams (0-1) in sudden death penalty strokes for a 2-1 victory.

The first half was dominated by VCU, but the Eagles were able to keep the game scoreless thanks to strong goaltending by Laura Miller. She made seven saves in the first half as the Rams outshot AU, 9-3. VCU also led in penalty corners, 5-0, in the first half. Also helping to keep the game scoreless was Kate Finn who made a defensive save in the first half.

American was able to weather the storm and came out strong in the second stanza. Seven minutes into the half, Sara Carpenter scored her first collegiate goal off of a feed from Melissa Snyder to give the Eagles the lead. AU was able to hold the advantage for most of the half, but Lauren Sparrow scored for VCU with just over five minutes to play and force overtime.

The teams then played two 15-minute overtimes with neither team scoring. VCU fired five shots on Miller in the first overtime, but she turned away all five. AU returned in the second overtime with five shots, but could not get the ball past VCU’s Abby Stiles.

With the score still tied, the teams moved to penalty strokes. In the first series, Magdalena Aguilar and Heather Maranzano scored for the Eagles while Becky Spangler and Tavris Parker scored for VCU. Unable to break the tie, sudden-death penalty strokes were needed. Aguilar scored on her attempt to open the phase. Miller then made a sprawling, split save to stop Parker and give American the victory.

“It was an awesome way to finish the game,” AU head coach Steve Jennings said. “Everyone played a huge part in this victory. Magdalena and Kate were incredible on the field and Laura saved us in goal.”

The Eagles continue their Richmond road trip as they play the Spiders of the University of Richmond on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Goals: AU - Carpenter; VCU - Sparrow
Assists: AU - Snyder; VCU - Martin
Saves: AU - Miller 18; VCU - 7
Shots: AU - 14; VCU - 21
Penalty Corners: AU - 6; VCU - 11