WASHINGTON - The American University women's lacrosse team scored five goals in the final 13 minutes of play Wednesday but fell just short in its comeback attempt as UMBC took an 11-10 decision at Jacobs Field. Brit Ferguson, Leslie Fischer, Gina Ibello, Bernadette Maher and Lauren Schoenberger each scored two goals in the loss for the Eagles.

UMBC (7-7, 2-2) tallied the first goal of the game to take a 1-0 lead 47 seconds into the game. American (2-11, 1-4) answered quickly though with Ferguson's first goal just over one minute later and took its first lead of the day, 2-1, with 21:50 remaining in the first half, as Ibello connected on a free position attempt.

UMBC retook the lead, 3-2, on back-to-back goals but Schoenberger's first score retied the game at three with 10:50 left. With the score tied at four, the Retrievers embarked on a 3-0 run to close out the half and took a 7-4 lead into the intermission.

Maher scored her second goal six minutes into the second half to move the score to 7-5 but three straight goals scored by UMBC gave the Retriever's their largest lead of the game, 10-5. The Eagles, however, responded with a 3-0 run of their own to cut the lead to two, 10-8, with 6:36 remaining in the game. Fischer began the stretch with her first goal of the afternoon with 12:20 on the clock and then assisted on Ibello's second tally with 10:26 to play. Schoenberger capped off the run with her second score.

UMBC added a goal with 4:23 remaining to push its lead to 11-8 and end AU's spree. Fischer scored her second goal just 16 later though and with four minutes and change remaining AU trailed just 11-9. The Eagles pulled to within one, 10-11, as Ferguson connected on a free position attempt with 1:36 to play. American, however, was unable to get a clean look at the goal in the final minute and UMBC ran out the clock for the 11-10 win.

Fischer led the Eagles with three points on two goals and one assist while Ibello, Ferguson, Maher and Schoenberger each added two goals. Ferguson led the defensive unit with three caused turnovers and four ground balls. Kaska Komosinski, who took over in goal at the half, made five saves and picked up one ground ball.

American will continue its six-game homestand to close out the year on Sunday, April 12, against Davidson at 1:00 p.m. on Jacobs Field.

2009-04-08