EMAIL THIS PAGE

Eagles Win Seventh Straight, Defeat La Salle, 18-12
Harmsen and Copeland each net three goals

March 26, 2003 | Stats

Rebecca Copeland had three goals and two assists in AU's win over La Salle.

WASHINGTON — After battling to a 7-7 tie in the first half, the American University women’s lacrosse team exploded for 11 goals in the second half to defeat La Salle, 18-12. Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week Nadia Harmsen and Rebecca Copeland each had three goals and two assists to help AU to its seventh consecutive win. Nicole McCarthy added two goals and two assists while four other Eagles had two tallies. The 18 goals is the fourth most scored in AU history while the squad tied a school record with 10 assists.

After another slow start, American (7-2) finally got on the board 10 minutes in on a goal by Tara Michael to tie the match at one. AU scored four of the next five goals to open a 5-2 advantage before La Salle (0-6) stormed back. Moriah Linnell netted the Eagles’ seventh goal of the half with nine minutes remaining, but AU would be held scoreless until halftime. The Explorers tallied three goals in this stretch, the last coming with one second on the clock by Laura Whitman to tie the game at seven.

The Eagles started the second half with two goals by Gina Riitano and a goal by Harmsen. Tracy Guenther’s free position shot brought La Salle within two, but the Eagles answered just 20 seconds later as McCarthy fed Copeland for a goal. Each team scored twice before Katy Zaweski put AU up, 14-10, with 11:41 remaining.

The Explorers scored two goals within 30 seconds to draw within two, but AU held them scoreless over the final 9:17. The Eagles scored four goals in the final 7:25 to pull away for the victory.

Linnell, Michael, Riitano and Zaweski all added two goals apiece for AU. Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week Kathleen Finnegan made seven saves between the pipes for the Eagles while Lianne Dictor saved 11 for La Salle. AU dominated the ground balls, 50-29, thanks to nine by Riitano and six by Michael. Riitano also caused five turnovers in the game and had four draw controls.

AU returns to action in a Patriot League match at Lafayette on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Notes: The seven-game winning streak extends the AU school record for consecutive wins ... the Eagles now have 60 assists on the season, fourth all-time ... Harmsen now has 93 goals for her career and only needs three more draw controls to tie the school record of 99 ... McCarthy only needs seven more ground balls to tie the school record.