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American Women’s Lacrosse Picked Second in Patriot League
Eagles in search of conference title in 2003

February 26, 2003

Senior Robyn Mincher look to lead the Eagles to the Patriot League title in 2003.

WASHINGTON — American University’s women’s lacrosse team was tabbed for the second spot in the Patriot League in a preseason poll of the conference’s coaches and sports information directors. The Eagles tied for the regular-season championship last year and advanced to the Patriot League Championship match.

AU returns a league-best four All-Patriot League performers from last season. Senior defender Robyn Mincher (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis) and junior midfielder Nicole McCarthy (Flourtown, Pa./Springfield Township) earned first team honors in 2002. Senior attack Nadia Harmsen (Buzzards Bay, Mass./Tabor Academy) and sophomore midfielder Gina Riitano (Schenectady, N.Y./Albany Academy for Girls) were named to the second team.

Last season, the Eagles posted a school-record 10 wins with a 10-8 overall mark (5-1 in Patriot League play). Defending champion Lafayette was chosen to win the Patriot League with AU just three points behind. The Eagles did earn three first-place votes and are expected to contend for the title with the Leopards, Colgate and Villanova.

The season opens for American on Saturday as the Eagles travel to No. 17 Old Dominion. After a road game at Towson on Wednesday, AU opens the season at Reeves Field on Mar. 8 against Colgate.

American University, which fields a 19-sport NCAA Division I athletics program featuring 10 women’s sports and nine for men, is in its second year of membership in the Patriot League. Since joining the Patriot League, the University has captured league championships in men’s cross country, women’s cross country, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s tennis, women’s tennis and women’s volleyball, and regular-season titles in men’s basketball and women’s lacrosse.

American became a full member of the Patriot League on July 1, 2001. Chartered by an Act of Congress in 1893, the University features students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 160 nations worldwide.

2003 Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll