RICHMOND, Va. - The American University women's soccer team lost a heartbreaker tonight in the first round of the Richmond Tournament. After leading for the most of the second half, American (0-1), was defeated by the host Spiders, 2-1.

The teams played an even first half, trading shots throughout the period. AU struck first as Savannah Rennels scored an unassisted goal in the 44th minute of the first half. Rennels' shot was from almost 20 yards out and it hit the cross bar and entered the top right section of the net.

Richmond (1-0) was the aggressor during the second half. The Spiders fired 15 shots against the Eagles while AU only managed one shot in the second half. American was able to hold Richmond off for most of the second half thanks to nine saves in the stanza by Jen Liese. She stopped 12 shots in the game.

The Spiders tied the match in the 83rd minute as Jessica Marino scored in the lower left corner of the net off of a feed from Whitney Sikes. Just five minutes later, Richmond scored the game-winning goal as Sikes took a cross from the right side and scored in the left corner of the goal.

AU had one final chance as Natalie Rodovsky fired a shot in the 90th minute, but it was saved by Richmond goalkeeper Megan Cox.

The Eagles go in search of their first win of the season as they play in the consolation match of the Richmond Tournament against Rutgers on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.

Goals: AU - Rennels; RU - Marino, Sikes
Assists: AU - None; RU - Sikes, Isham, Marino
Saves: AU - Liese 12; RU - Cox 3
Shots: AU - 6; RU - 22
Corners: AU - 1; RU - 5