April 13, 2008
WORCESTER, Mass. - American held off a surging Holy Cross squad in the second half to solidify its hold on the second seed in the Patriot League standings heading into the season finally against top-seeded Colgate on Saturday. The Eagles fended off the Crusaders, who pulled within two early in the second half after trailing 8-1, to claim a 17-10 win in PL women's lacrosse action on Sunday at Hart Astroturf Field.
Meg O'Leary led Holy Cross (4-10, 2-4 PL) on a 4-0 run to open the second half and cut into the American lead, trailing 8-5, with 25:58 remaining in the game. Jackie Lane halted the Crusaders momentum momentarily with her second goal of the game and the Eagles led 9-5, but Holy Cross earned the next two goals to pull within two, 9-7.
Kira Sonberg scored her second of the game on a Gina Ibello assist to give American a three-goal lead, but a Kristine Corkum goal from eight meters made it 10-8 half way through the second. The Eagles scored the next five goals to lead 15-8 and shut down the Crusaders over the final 10 minutes to claim the 17-10 win.
American (6-9, 4-1 PL) took an early 1-0 lead on its first offensive possession of the game on an Amanda Makoid goal at 26:51, but Holy Cross would earn the equalizer at 18:59 after the Eagles held the ball in the Crusaders end for over two minutes on a Kelly Winslow goal from point blank range. The Eagles reclaimed the lead, 2-1, with just over 17 minutes on the clock on a free position shot from Brit Ferguson.
American got a pair of goals from Sonberg and Lauren Lane to extend its lead to 4-1 with 6:33 remaining in the first half. Jackie Lane tallied her team-leading 34th of the season, followed by Lauren Lane's second goal of the game, and the Eagles were up 6-1. Brittany Finnegan added a free position goal and Lauren Lane completed her first-half hat trick, as American found themselves with a seven goal, 8-1, cushion heading into the second half.
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Lauren Lane led the American offense, scoring a career-high five goals. Sonberg finished with three goals and Makoid scored two goals and added two assists. Jackie Lane scored two goals and an assist, while Ibello, Lauren Aksionoff, Ferguson, Finnegan and Anne Marie Person each scored a goal. Aksionoff also recorded her 54th career assist in the win to tie the AU career record.
American will host Colgate in its season finale on Saturday at noon at Jacobs Field. The Eagles will honor their seven seniors prior to the start of the game and there will be a tailgate preceding the game.
