Lehighton graduate and former Times News Field Hockey Player of the Year Maura Phelan played a key role for the American University field hockey team this season.

American recently concluded a very successful season, pushing third-ranked Iowa to the limit before suffering a 3-2 loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Phelan, a senior, had given American a 1-0 lead against Iowa when she went to the line for the penalty stroke and capitalized with a well-placed ball into the upper left corner of the cage. Behind that goal, the Eagles were able to take a 2-1 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Hawkeyes rallied for two goals to pull out the victory.

It was the 11th time in program history that the Eagles qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

American secured its 12th Patriot League regular season title and the top seed in the PL Tournament with a 3-1 road win over Boston University in October. It was part of the program’s 10th undefeated conference season.

The Eagles, who finished the year with an overall record of 13-4, broke into the top-15 of the NFHCA National Poll for the first time since 2011.

The goal against Iowa was the third of Phelan’s career and second of the season. She also tallied in the Eagles’ 6-0 rout against Holy Cross during the regular season.

Last season as a junior, Phelan was named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad and Patriot League Academic Honor Roll for the third year in a row.