March 3, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. – American University scored four of the last five goals in the first half and seven of the first eight goals in the second half to propel them past the Old Dominion University lacrosse team on Saturday afternoon at Jacobs Field, 16-10.
In a game of streaks, the Lady Monarchs (1-1) were down quickly on Saturday but rallied to tie the game midway through the first period. A late surge to end the half and a barrage of goals to start the second period allowed the Eagles (3-1) to take control and hold on for the win.
In the first half, senior attacker Mary Bermingham scored first, but American countered with four unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead midway through the period. The Lady Monarchs were able tie the game when senior defender Hannah McBee drove down the length of the field and scored her first goal of the season followed by back-to-back goals from sophomore midfielder Emily Austerberry.
Two more goals by American, who had seven different players score in the first half, prompted a timeout by ODU. Senior attacker Rebecca Reymann quickly scored to cut the deficit to one goal but two later goals in the period gave the Eagles an 8-5 advantage at the half.
The Eagles came out firing in the second half and went up 15-6 to take control of the contest. Sophomore midfielder Courtney Clough, junior midfielder Meredith Rogers, Reymann and senior midfielder Rebecca Hartrum then each scored as ODU pieced together four unanswered goals to cut the lead to 15-10, but the comeback came too late as American scored a final goal with under a minute to play to make it 16-10.
Senior midfielder Sarah Wright also found the net for ODU, who was outshot on the day, 27-17. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Sarah Geary had 11 saves for the Lady Monarchs while Kaska Komoskinski had seven saves for AU. The Eagles were led by Bernadette Maher’s three goals as nine different American players scored.
ODU returns home on Wednesday to face the Richmond Spiders at 4 p.m. at the Powhatan Sports Complex.