The American University women's soccer team nearly rallied from an early-two goal deficit, but was unable to find the equalizer in Sunday afternoon's 2-1 defeat to Colgate at Reeves Field.

Facing a 2-0 deficit in the first half, Mikaila Weaver knocked home her first goal of the season in the 34th minute to get American (5-10-1, 1-2-1 Patriot League) within a goal. The play developed when Jasmine Mohandesi fired a high shot from 25 yards out, although Colgate goalkeeper Alexis Longwell was able to get a hand on it and deflect it into the crossbar. The ball then bounced back in front of the goal where Weaver was able to track it down and put away a low shot.

Prior to Weaver's strike, Colgate (5-10, 2-2 PL) got on the scoreboard with two goals by Jillian Kinter. Her first conversion came in the 14th minute off feeds from Anna Baldwin and Alyssa Manoogian. Less than 15 minutes later, Manoogian again connected with Kinter to give the Raiders a 2-0 advantage.

Through the majority of the second half, neither team registered any legitimate scoring threats, although that all changed once the clock began to wind down, forcing American into an attacking position. In the 87th minute, Kristin Piorun played a beautiful cross from the deep right corner to a streaking Gabrielle Barbato, who was roaming free in front of the goal. Piorun's pass found Barbato in stride, although her header from close went right into the arms of Longwell.

Moments later, AU's final opportunity came when Kendra Jones crossed a ball from the left side just in front of the goal line, where it was just out of the reach of Mohandesi and Friederike Engel as it sailed through the zone.

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"I thought we did well to get back in the game after falling behind," Head Coach Dave Bucciero said following the match. "In the last 15 minutes, we applied a lot of pressure and had opportunities to get the game-tying goal, but the lesson today is we didn't come out with enough energy. We got ourselves in a hole and it costed us the game."

American outshot the Raiders by a 14-11 margin in the match, and held a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal. Each team earned only one corner kick in the 90 minutes of action.

Lindsey Farthing made three saves in net for the Eagles, as her lengthy scoreless streak came to an end with Kinter's first goal. In total, Farthing's scoreless run, which spanned four matches, totaled 289:42.

The Eagles will return to action with their final home weekend of the season, beginning next Friday, October 22 against Lafayette at 4 p.m. AU will then host Lehigh on Sunday, October 24 at 1 p.m. as American's three seniors will be honored prior to the match. Both contests can be watched live on Eagles Vision TV, part of AUeagles.com.