WASHINGTON - The American University women's soccer team opened up its 2009 campaign Saturday afternoon, falling 2-0 to cross-town rival Georgetown.

Georgetown (1-0) got on the board at the 19:57 mark of the first half off a Caitlin Durkee corner kick that was headed in by Michaela Buonomo. The Hoyas other goal came late in the second half by Camille Trujillo off a feed from Norah Swanson.

The best scoring chance for American (0-1) came midway through the second half off a direct corner. Junior Brooke Sheppard had the opportunity for the Eagles, but her shot deflected off the back post in what would have been the game-tying goal.

Georgetown outshot the Eagles 17-7, and had a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Freshman Michelle Montilio played well for American in her collegiate debut, recording three of AU's seven shots. American sophomore goalkeeper Arianna Efstathiou had six saves in her 90 minutes between the pipes.

"We didn't come ready to battle Georgetown in the first half," commented AU Head Coach David Bucciero. "In order to beat a team like Georgetown, we have to play for the full 90 minutes, and today we didn't put it together for two halves. The energy and effort was there for us in the second half, and we began moving the ball and played the way we're capable of playing. We look forward to learning from this game as we prepare for next weekend."

The Eagles will return to the pitch on Friday, August 28 at 3:30 p.m., as they welcome Georgia Southern to Reeves Field for the team's home-opener, part of the D.C. Invitational. Georgetown and Bryant will square off at 1 p.m. in the first match of Friday's double-header.

AU's contest versus Georgia Southern will be available in live streaming video on Eagles Vision TV.