COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Despite rallying from a two-goal deficit to tie the game, American fell to Virginia, 4-2, in the first game of the 2001 Maryland-Fila Classic played here on a clear Friday evening. The loss is the first of the young season for the Eagles, who now rest at 2-1-0.

Virginia got on the board at the 22:29 mark when Alecko Eskandarian put home a header off a restart from Kyle Martino. It was the first goal the American defense had given up in 202:29 of play this season.

The Cavaliers struck again quickly, just 1:32 later, when a shot deflected off AU defender Jonathon Colton into the goal.

American answered at the 35:08 mark when Kris Bertsch converted a penalty kick, slicing the margin to 2-1.

The Eagles came out of the halftime break with a spirited attack, and controlled much of the early second-half action. Melvin Espinal scored an outstanding goal as he was led to the box by Bertsch just 1:44 in.

Virginia struck the next blow at the 68:25 mark when Eskandarian tallied his second of the day, and fourth on the season, when he put home a cross from Kyle Martino into the lower right corner of the net.

The final Cavs goal came on a penalty kick by Martino at the 70:58 mark, stretching their lead to the final 4-2 margin.

American keeper Michael Behonick made five saves, while his counterpart, David Comfort, made two stops.

American returns to action again on Sunday when it faces host Maryland, ranked fifth in the nation, at 2:30 p.m. at Ludwig Stadium.