Aug. 30, 2005

WASHINGTON - Two own goals by the American University women's soccer squad ended any hope of a victory against local rival George Mason Patriots at Reeves Field, as AU lost 3-0 on Tuesday. The defeat is the team's second in a row at home, dropping their record to 0-2-0 on the season.

The match's scoring began when the Eagles' defense misplayed a George Mason free kick from 25 yards. In the fight for position inside the box, the Eagles defense attempted to head the ball out, but instead knocked it over goaltender Andy Germain (Redondo Beach, Calif./Redondo Union). The goal was attributed to GMU's Sarah Fack.

After half, the tide shifted in the Patriots favor as they were getting numerous breakaway attempts, but were unable to convert because of AU's recovering defense. Any momentum the Eagles had ended when the team misjudged a Mason corner, knocking the ball into the back of the net to make the score 2-0 in the 73rd minute.

The match's final goal came in the 76th minute on a lone run down the left side by GMU's Danielle MacDonald. Goalkeeper Allison Doyle (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic) came out of net and deflected the ball only to have it trickle in behind her. Doyle ended up with nine saves on the day.

AU came out energetically in the first 25 minutes, controlling the possession against the visitors and keeping the Patriots out of the Eagles side. Offensively, AU had trouble with the George Mason last line and failed to make a quality effort on goal.

AU was outshot 15-7 in a match that saw 21 fouls and two yellow cards handed out.

The Eagles go after their first win of the season Friday against the UMBC Retrievers at 4 p.m. on the Northrop Fields at Covenant Park in Ellicott City, Md.