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AU Lax Powers Past Raiders in Home Opener, 10-5
Riitano leads offense with four goals for American

March 8, 2003 | Stats

Kathleen Finnegan made 14 saves for the Eagles.

WASHINGTON — Trailing for just 1:20 the entire game, the American University women's lacrosse team scored when it counted to defeat Colgate, 10-5, Saturday afternoon at Reeves Field.

Sophomore Gina Riitano led all scorers with four goals and one assist while five other Eagles got into the scoring action. AU improves to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in Patriot League action while the Raiders even out at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in Patriot League play.

Freshman goalkeeper Kathleen Finnegan faced 22 shots and made 14 saves for American while CU's keeper Sue Bielamowicz saw 26 shots and made nine saves. The Eagles commanded a 31-23 advantage over the Raiders in ground balls and a 12-5 take on draw controls.

Riitano struck first at 2:53 in the first on a pass from Tara Michael. The Raiders briefly took the lead when Caitlin Houck tallied two of her three goals at 5:42 and then 13:31 for a 2-1 Colgate advantage. AU's Laura Repoli didn't waste time, making good on her only shot of the day at 14:51 for the final lead.

At the half, the Eagles led 6-2 as Rebecca Copeland and Nadia Harmsen registered goals on unassisted shots. Riitano would add another before Katy Zaweski found the back of the net on a free position shot.

Courtney Bennett got into the scoring action for AU in the second, converting a free position shot at 39:39 to give the Eagles a commanding 9-3 lead. The Raider offense wasn't finished, as it outshot American by an 11-9 margin in the second half. A pair of Colgate goals with 13 minutes left lended some momentum, but Riitano's final goal at 53:47 put a stop to it.

The Eagles host non-league Fairfield Sunday at 1 p.m. at Reeves Field.