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April 15, 2003 | Stats

Kathleen Finnegan made a career-high 20 saves against St. Joseph's.

PHILADELPHIA — American’s women’s lacrosse team held an 8-3 lead with 16:18 remaining, but could not hold on as St. Joseph’s beat the Eagles, 10-9. Kathleen Finnegan made a career-high 20 saves, which is also fourth most all-time at AU. Rebecca Copeland and Gina Riitano each had three goals for the Eagles (9-5) and Riitano added two assists.

The Hawks struck first as Kelly Butler found Kristen Teklinsky for a goal just over three minutes into the match. AU answered with two goals by Copeland assisted by Moriah Linnell and Riitano. After a long possession, Butler scored off a feed from Anastasia Schafer to tie the match at two with 11:40 remaining.

AU closed the half on a three-goal run. Riitano scored on a free position shot and then found Lindsay Cartin for a goal. Katy Zaweski scored an unassisted goal with 1:03 left in the half to give the Eagles a 5-2 halftime lead. Finnegan made 13 saves in the first half including stopping Butler on a breakaway with less than two minutes left in the half.

An early second half goal by St. Joe’s cut the Eagle lead to two. However, Zaweski scored another unassisted goal and Riitano netted a free position shot to put AU up 7-3 with 17 minutes to play. After a Hawk timeout, Zaweski carried the ball behind the goal and made a great feed to Copeland for the goal.

Butler scored back-to-back goals to bring the Hawks within three with fewer than 11 minutes remaining. Teklinsky then scored an unassisted goal to make the score 8-6 and force AU to call timeout. Riitano scored off an assist by Laura Repoli, but St. Joseph’s then scored three straight to tie the match with 1:38 remaining. Meghan Cheverie scored the game-winner with 53.2 seconds remaining, as the Eagles were unable to get a shot off in the final minute.

AU held a 14-7 advantage in draw controls, but the Hawks had 20 ground balls to only 12 for the Eagles.

American returns to action on April 23 as the Eagles host Johns Hopkins beginning at 4 p.m.