Shaena Alfonsi scored with 28 seconds remaining in the game to push the American University women's soccer team over Howard for the 2-1 victory and its first home win of the season on Friday afternoon.

"Overall I was pretty pleased I thought we had a lot of opportunities and if we could have finished a couple more goals, particularly in the first half, I thought the game would've been a little different," said Head Coach Dave Bucciero. "We did a lot of good stuff today and other than finishing a little better I was really happy with how we played."

American (2-6-1) found the back of the net just 40 seconds into the game when Erin Mulhern slipped a shot past goalkeeper Kyra Dickinson for the 1-0 advantage. The Eagles continued to dominate possession to open the game, registering 10 shots in the first half, but couldn't convert as they went into the half with the one-goal lead.

Howard (0-8-2) tied the match in the 78th minute on a breakaway starting at midfield. Jordan Brown passed it in to Owyn Mason who was able to put it past Charlene Belanger for her first goal of the season.

The two teams continued to fight in the second half, but it was Alfonsi who scored the game-winning goal with 28 seconds left on the clock. The junior sent it into the top left corner from inside the box past the Howard goalkeeper to give the Eagles the 2-1 win.

American outshot Howard by a 23-4 margin, with a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal. Belanger tallied three saves for the Eagles.

American will open a three-game road trip on Tuesday, September 18 when they take on crosstown rival George Washington at 4 p.m.