BOSTON, Mass. – No. 2 American sophomore midfielder Rafaela Rubas scored the game’s lone goal in the seventh minute, as the Eagles held on for a 1-0 victory against host and No. 1-seed Boston University on Sunday afternoon at New Balance Field, helping AU earn the Patriot League’s automatic bid to the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament.
The Terriers, who had defeated AU last Saturday to claim the regular season title and home field advantage for the tournament, would outshoot the Eagles 10-4, with six coming in the second half. American was able to withstand the attack, holding on for the 1-0 win.
Rubas earned 2016 Patriot League Tournament Most Valuable Player honors in addition to a selection to the All-Tournament Team. Senior forward Natalie Konerth, sophomore defender Rachel Stefano and sophomore goalie Maura Jacobs joined Rubas as All-Tournament selections. Jacobs registered two shutouts during the tournament.
Boston University’s senior midfielder Hester van der Laan and senior forwards Amanda Cassera and Taylor Blood were selected to the All-Tournament Team from the Terriers. Bucknell’s junior goalkeeper Emily Finn and senior defender Anna Wills and Holy Cross’s junior forward Maureen Connolly and freshman goalkeeper Marcia LaPlante round out the team.
For the Eagles it is their 10th Patriot League Championship and first since 2013, snapping the Terriers streak of two-consecutive League Championships. American will now wait for the the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament Selection Show on Sunday night at 10 p.m. to find out their seeding and where they will head for the first round.
Boston University, who finished the regular season at No. 12 in the NFHCA Top 20 Poll, will also be tuned into the selection show to see if they will claim an at-large bid to the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament.
No. 2 American 1 at No. 1 Boston University 0
New Balance Field/Boston, Mass. Sunday, noon EST
BOX SCORE
*American sophomore midfielder Rafaela Rubas scored the game-winning goal in the seventh minute of the game to lead the Eagles to a 1-0 victory over Boston University in the Patriot League Championship Game.
*The Eagles earn the Patriot League Championship for the first time since 2013 to earn the League’s automatic bid to the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament.
*Sophomore goalkeeper Maura Jacobs made six saves to register her second shutout of the Patriot League Field Hockey Championships.
*Boston University senior goalkeeper Cammy Jensen had two saves and allowed one goal in the loss.
AMERICAN RECAP
BOSTON UNIVERSITY RECAP
2016 Patriot League Field Hockey All-Tournament Team
American – Rafaela Rubas, So., M (Most Valuable Player)
American – Natalie Konerth, Sr., F
American – Maura Jacobs, So., GK
American – Rachel Stefano, So., D
Boston University – Hester van der Laan, Sr., M
Boston University – Amanda Cassera, Sr., F
Boston University – Taylor Blood, Sr., F
Bucknell – Emily Finn, Jr., GK
Bucknell – Anna Wills, Sr., D
Holy Cross – Maureen Connolly, Jr., F
Holy Cross – Marcia LaPlante, Fr., GK