April 19, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC - Nine different Eagles scored as the American University women's lacrosse team defeated Patriot League foe Colgate, 13-10, to clinch the top seed and the right to host the conference tournament. The Eagles will play either Lehigh or Navy on Friday at Jacob's Field at 1 p.m. in the first semifinal.
Colgate (7-9, 5-1) took an early lead in the first, but it was all American over that. The Eagles scored the next four goals to take a 4-1 lead. Brittany Finnegan started the AU run, scoring on a pass from Leslie Fischer. Kira Sonberg, Maeve Koch and Brit Ferguson also added goals in the 4-0 run. Lauren Aksionoff earned the assist on Koch's goal, one of two on the day, to become the all-time leader in career assists with 56.
American (7-9, 5-1) would get three more goals in the first half from Jackie Lane, Anne Marie Person and Aksionoff to take a 7-3 lead heading into the second half. The Eagles held a 14-13 advantage in shots, but got stellar goalkeeping from Kristine Vida, who made nine saves.
The Raiders scored the first two goals of the second half, but the Eagles responded with three of their own to claim a 10-5 lead half way through the second. Lisa Schaaf, Ferguson and Aksionoff would add goals before games end and American would claim the 13-10 win.
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Aksionoff led all scorers with four points (2 g, 2a). Finnegan, Ferguson, and Sonberg all scored two goals, while Amanda Makoid, Jackie Lane, Koch, Schaaf and Person each scored one goal a piece.
Vida finished with 14 saves and six ground balls.
AU honored its seven graduating seniors prior to the game. Tahra Johnson, Vida, Finnegan, Bell, Jackie Lane, Lauren Lane, and Aksionoff all played their final regular season games at Jacobs Field.
"It was a great way to send out the seniors, American head coach Katie Woods said following the win. "We played really hard today and it's exciting to host the Patriot League Tournament for the first time since 2003. It'll be a very competitive atmosphere. Lehigh, Colgate and Navy are all strong teams and we look forward to the tournament."
