WASHINGTON - The American University women's lacrosse team fell to Richmond 16-12 on Wednesday afternoon at a rainy Jacobs Field. Senior Leslie Fischer, freshman Bernadette Maher and senior Kira Sonberg led the Eagles with three goals each in the defeat.

Kira Sonberg got American (3-12) on the board, off a Lauren Schoenberger assist, with 26:30 to play in the opening half to tie the score at 1-1. Richmond (4-11) fired back with back-to-back goals to open up a 3-1 lead, although Amanda Makoid's goal off a Gina Ibello assist seven minutes into the game cut the AU deficit to one, 3-2.

After Richmond responded with a Sam Tajirian goal to take a 4-2 advantage, AU fired back with four consecutive unassisted goals during an eight-plus minute stretch to open up a 6-4 lead. Fischer converted the first and last goals during this streak, and Maher and Sonberg had the other two conversions.

Richmond, however, proceeded to score the next three goals to regain a 7-6 lead with 6:57 remaining in the first stanza. AU's Sonberg added her second goal just before the close of the half to tie the contest at 7-7 at intermission.

The Eagles got off to a quick start in the second half with an Anne Marie Person strike to take an 8-7 advantage. But that was the last lead AU would have in the contest. Richmond rattled off the game's next five goals over nearly eight minutes to take a 12-8 advantage.

AU tried to rally, as Maher converted her second and third goals of the game to cut the AU deficit to 12-10. But Richmond responded with back-to-back goals to regain a four-goal lead, 14-10, with 12:51 to play. The teams traded two goals apiece over the last several minutes to set the final margin at 16-12. Fischer and Ibello scored goals during this stretch for the Eagles.

Whitney Kovar led the Eagles with five groundballs collected, while Brit Ferguson paced AU with four draw controls.

Richmond was led by Allison Furstenbur, who collected seven points on five goals and two assists. Mandy Friend had three goals and three assists as well.

American will conclude its season on Saturday, April 18 at 12 p.m. at Jacobs Field against Patriot League foe Holy Cross. AU's six senior student-athletes will be honored before the game.

2009-04-16